title: Clozapine and cardiometabolic health in chronic schizophrenia: correlations and consequences in a clinical context.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its putative precursors in a naturalistic study of non-acute inpatients at a psychiatric hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometric and biochemical data collected from the hospital's annual cardiometabolic survey, along with information about prescribed medications, were used to assess the prevalence and predictors of physical health problems in patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 167 patients included in the survey, 52.4% met criteria for metabolic syndrome. A shorter duration of hospital admission and clozapine use were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome. Age, gender, duration of admission and clozapine use were all predictors of individual cardiometabolic risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this naturalistic study reinforce the high prevalence of physical health problems in patients with schizophrenia and the important influence that psychiatric treatments can have on physical health. The impact of clozapine on cardiometabolic health appears to occur early in the course of treatment and emphasizes the need for proactive monitoring and interventions from the outset of management.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia. gmalhi@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Gin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malhi
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Plain
authors.forename: Carissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coulston
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Garry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine