title: Cardiovascular disease risk in schizophrenia patients: a case control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Schizophrenia patients are at higher risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this case-control study is to measure Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk parameters in patient group and compare it with normal population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 45 cases of Schizophrenia diagnosed by diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) criteria and 41 healthy controls from general population. The body mass index, metabolic syndrome parameters, lipid parameters and high sensitive C-reactive protein were measured in both groups. Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia prevalence were assessed based on National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Schizophrenia subjects showed statistically significant high waist circumference, increased triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol values. The subjects also showed statistically significant increased hs-CRP values. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and laboratory dyslipidemia were 28.8% and 51.1% respectively, which were higher compared to control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Schizophrenia subjects are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease events due to high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia. These patients should be regularly monitored for CVD risk factors and timely referred to physician for further management.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry GMC Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Kedar B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, SBKS Medical College , Vadodara, Gujarat, India .
authors.forename: Anup
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nillawar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry, GMC Aurangabad Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Thorat
keywords: Dyslipidemia; HS-CRP; Metabolic Syndrome