Metabolic syndrome in Thai schizophrenic patients: a naturalistic one-year follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Not only the prevalence, but also the progress of metabolic abnormalities in schizophrenic patients is of importance for treatment planning and policy making. However, there have been very few prospective studies of metabolic disturbance in schizophrenic patients. This study aimed to assess the progress of metabolic abnormalities in Thai individuals with schizophrenia by estimating their one-year incidence rate of metabolic syndrome (MetS).


METHODS
We screened all schizophrenic patients who visited our psychiatric clinic. After the exclusion of participants with MetS at baseline, each subject was reassessed at 6 and 12 months to determine the occurrence of MetS. The definition of MetS, as proposed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), was applied.


RESULTS
Fifty-seven participants (24 males and 33 females) had a mean of age and duration of antipsychotic treatment of 37.5 years old and 8.4 years, respectively. At baseline, 13 subjects met the MetS definition. Of 44 subjects who had no MetS at baseline, 35 could be followed up. Seven of these 35 subjects (20.0%) had developed MetS at the 6- or 12-month visit, after already having 2 MetS components at baseline. The demographic data and characteristics of those developing and not developing MetS were not different in any respect.


CONCLUSIONS
Thai schizophrenic patients are likely to develop MetS. Their metabolic abnormalities may progress rapidly and fulfill the MetS definition within a year of follow-up. These findings support the importance of assessing and monitoring metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients.
Srisurapanont
Manit
M
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand. msrisu@yahoo.com
Likhitsathian
Surinporn
S
Boonyanaruthee
Vudhichai
V
Charnsilp
Chawanun
C
Jarusuraisin
Ngamwong
N
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology