Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Australians with severe mental illness.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle variables among Australian patients with a variety of psychiatric disorders.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of patients attending a public mental health service in Western Australia between July 2005 and September 2006.


METHODS
Patients who were aged 18-65 years; diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms, drug-induced psychosis or borderline personality disorder; and currently taking at least one antipsychotic drug for a minimum of 2 weeks.


METHODS
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome diagnosed with International Diabetes Federation criteria; fasting blood glucose and lipid levels; sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics.


RESULTS
Of 219 patients invited to participate, 203 agreed and had complete data. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 54% overall, and highest among patients with bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder (both 67%), followed by schizophrenia (51%). Sociodemographic variables, including age and ethnic background, were not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, but a strong association was seen with mean body mass index. Other cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking and substance misuse, were common among participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this population was almost double that in the general Australian population, and patients with schizophrenia had a prevalence among the highest in the developed world. Prevalence was also high in patients with a variety of other psychiatric disorders.
John
Alexander P
AP
Mental Health, Bentley Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia. Alexander.John@health.wa.gov.au
Koloth
Radhakrishnan
R
Dragovic
Milan
M
Lim
Stephen C B
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult