Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with schizophrenia in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
In an Asian population, the criteria for metabolic syndrome (MetS) are different from those for Western populations. The aim of this study was to assess the MetS prevalence among patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Japan.


METHODS
We recruited patients (n=1186), aged 54.8±14.8 (mean±SD) years old with the DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were admitted to seven psychiatric hospitals using a cross-sectional design. MetS prevalence was assessed by three different definitions, including the adapted National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III-A). Comparative analysis was performed with schizophrenic subjects and 886 participants from the Iwaki Health Promotion Project 2008 as representative of general population.


RESULTS
The overall MetS prevalence based on the ATP III-A definition was 27.5%, with 29.8% in male and 25.3% in female patients. In a logistic regression model with age and body mass index as covariates, being schizophrenic was a significant independent factor (odds ratio=2.00 for males, 2.13 for females) in the development of MetS under the ATP III-A definition. The difference of MetS prevalence between patients and the general population was observed for those under 60 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Japan had high prevalence of MetS compared to the general population, and was most apparent for those under 60 years of age. The MetS in schizophrenic patients should be carefully monitored to minimize the risks.
Sugawara
Norio
N
Department of Psychiatry, Hirosaki-Aiseikai Hospital, Hirosaki, Japan. nsuga3@yahoo.co.jp
Yasui-Furukori
Norio
N
Sato
Yasushi
Y
Umeda
Takashi
T
Kishida
Ikuko
I
Yamashita
Hakuei
H
Saito
Manabu
M
Furukori
Hanako
H
Nakagami
Taku
T
Hatakeyama
Mitsunori
M
Nakaji
Shigeyuki
S
Kaneko
Sunao
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*