High prevalence of metabolic disturbances in patients with bipolar disorder in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Both ethnicity and lifestyle may contribute to these abnormalities. High prevalences of obesity and metabolic disturbances in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have been reported in western countries. However, reports about the prevalences in Asian countries remain scant.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study included 117 patients diagnosed as BD and treated with lithium (Li), valproate (VPA), or both at a university psychiatric outpatient clinic. Their body mass index and plasma levels of glucose and lipid were measured. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was determined based on the IDF 2005 criteria.


RESULTS
13.7%, 36.8%, 53.0%, 18.6%, and 61.0% of the patients met the criteria for hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hypertension and large waist circumference, respectively. 33.9% of the patients met the IDF 2005 criterion for metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic abnormalities was significantly higher in patients who have been cotreated with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence of high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in BD patients in Taiwan. Such metabolic disturbances can increase morbidity and mortality. Further studies that focus on the underlying mechanisms and effective intervention strategies are warranted.
Chang
Hui Hua
HH
Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chou
Chen Hsi
CH
Chen
Po See
PS
Gean
Po Wu
PW
Huang
Hui Chun
HC
Lin
Chia Yin
CY
Yang
Yen Kuang
YK
Lu
Ru Band
RB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D014635:Valproic Acid