title: Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Danish psychiatric outpatients treated with antipsychotics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of the metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is increasing worldwide and is suggested to be higher among psychiatric patients, especially those on antipsychotic treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Danish psychiatric outpatients and compare it with the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional, observational study in 2007-08, 170 Danish outpatients on antipsychotic drug treatment were monitored for the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition and compared with a general population group of 3303 randomly selected Danes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the antipsychotic-treated patients 48.2% fulfilled the IDF criteria for the metabolic syndrome, compared with 29.6% of the general population. The antipsychotic-treated patients had higher rates of increased waist circumference, triglyceride and glucose levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Compared with the general population, the odds ratio (OR) of the metabolic syndrome among antipsychotic-treated patients was 2.2. After adjustment for age and sex, the OR increased to 2.7. In the antipsychotic-treated group, statistically different rates of the metabolic syndrome for patients in monopharmacy vs. polypharmacy, and for patients in monotherapy with first-generation vs. second-generation antipsychotics, could not be found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among a Danish outpatient population treated with antipsychotics compared with the general population. Monitoring of lipid and glucose levels, blood pressure and waist circumference before start-up and during treatment with antipsychotic medication is of pivotal importance in order to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Karoline
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krane-Gartiser
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Breum
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Glümrr
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linneberg
authors.forename: Maiken
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Køster
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Jepsen
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fink-Jensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides