title: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with schizophrenia in Singapore.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schizophrenia has been associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a reliable predictor of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality, has also been shown to be more prevalent in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of MetS in a sample of patients with schizophrenia in Singapore, and the potential risk factors associated with it.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients with schizophrenia and 300 community controls were recruited. All subjects provided a fasted sample of venous blood to measure high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides and glucose levels. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Presence of MetS was assessed according to the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MetS in patients with schizophrenia was 46.0%. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for MetS among patients was 2.79 (CI, 1.50 to 5.20, P = 0.001) when compared with controls. Increasing body mass index (BMI) was identifi ed to be signifi cantly associated with the prevalence of MetS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found a high prevalence of MetS in Singapore patients with schizophrenia, and that BMI might be a risk factor in the development of MetS. This information is clinically relevant as BMI is routinely measured in psychiatric practice today, and could be used to monitor for development of MetS in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747. jimmy_lee@imh.com.sg
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Milawaty
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nurjono
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Agus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012846:Singapore; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects