Impaired glucose tolerance in first-episode drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is an association between Type 2 diabetes mellitus and schizophrenia, independent of medication.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study we performed an oral glucose tolerance test on 38 non-obese white Caucasians who fulfilled the criteria for first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia, 38 control subjects (matched for age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake and ethnicity) and 44 first-degree relatives of the patients.


RESULTS
The frequency of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), defined by World Health Organization criteria, was 10.5% (n = 4) in patients with schizophrenia, 18.2% (n = 8) in unaffected relatives and 0.0% in healthy control subjects (chi(2) = 4.22, d.f. = 2, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The high point prevalence of IGT in never-treated patients and relatives supports either shared environmental or genetic predisposition to IGT. Both patients and their relatives present an ideal cost-effective opportunity to screen for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, as they are both easily identifiable.
Spelman
L M
LM
Neuroscience Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Walsh
P I
PI
Sharifi
N
N
Collins
P
P
Thakore
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose