title: Metabolic syndrome and psychiatrists' choice of follow-up interventions in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics in Denmark and Sweden.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to obtain point prevalence estimates of the metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP III criteria in a sample of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs in Denmark and Sweden, and to assess the psychiatrists' choice of recommendations for follow-up interventions based on the patients' laboratory results.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional, observational multi-center study in Denmark and Sweden, in consecutively screened in- and outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and continuously treated for at least 3 months with atypical antipsychotic drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The metabolic syndrome as per medical history was present in 1% of 582 evaluable patients at baseline. After performing laboratory measurements and applying the NCEP III criteria, metabolic syndrome was confirmed in 43% of subjects. The high rate of metabolic syndrome did not elicit much decisive action on the part of the treating psychiatrists; the most frequent action taken was dietary and exercise advice (in 75% of subjects), while in 54% and 19% of subjects a laboratory follow-up and blood pressure follow-up were advised respectively. Change of antipsychotic medication was recommended in only 10% of patients, and in further 11% of patients, no action was taken.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Observed metabolic syndrome prevalence rates were at least twice the rates observed in a normal, non-diabetic population. It appears that in this vulnerable population of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, metabolic syndrome remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense C, Denmark. teilmann@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: John Teilmann
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fagerquist
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holdrup
authors.forename: Bjarne
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sigalin
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008660:Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015995:Prevalence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents