title: A two fold risk of metabolic syndrome in a sample of patients with schizophrenia: do consanguinity and family history increase risk?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with schizophrenia are at greater risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and other cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its criteria among patients with schizophrenia (Sz) according to the revised criteria of NCEP ATP III and assess which component contributed to the increased risk of the MetS in schizophrenia patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a matched case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinics of the Psychiatry department and Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers of the Supreme Council of Health, State of Qatar.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out among patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and healthy subjects above 20 years old. The study based on matched by age and gender of 233 cases and 466 controls. The survey was conducted from June 2010 to May 2011. Face to face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire followed by laboratory tests. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program - Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among schizophrenic patients (36.5%) were significantly higher than healthy subjects (18.7%) (p<0.001). The prevalence of MetS in schizophrenic subjects was reported to be two times higher than in the general population. The MetS components were higher among schizophrenic patients than healthy subjects. Among the components of MetS, central obesity (63.9%) was the most common criteria among patients compared to healthy subjects (45.7%) (p<0.001). Schizophrenic patients (27%) were significantly obese than the healthy subjects (13.1%). Female schizophrenia patients were more likely to have three or more metabolic abnormalities compared to men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicated that metabolic syndrome was highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia. The female gender was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The identification and clinical management of this high risk group is of great importance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics & Epidemiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar; Department of Evidence for Population Health Unit, School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: abener@hmc.org.qa.
authors.forename: Abdulbari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bener
authors.affiliation: Qatar Diabetic Associations and Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Abdulla O A A
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Al-Hamaq
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Psychology Unit, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Elnour E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Dafeeah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003241:Consanguinity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011780:Qatar / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; Prevalence; Qatar; Schizophrenia