ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with Schizophrenia, in a tertiary care armed forces setup
STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study
PLACE AND DURATION: Department of Psychiatry, PNS SHIFA, Karachi from October 2009 to April 2010
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty six patients with Schizophrenia reporting for management in PNS SHIFA were enrolled as subjects. Demographic variables and other confounding variables were recorded in a structured Performa, Blood Pressure [BP] and Waist Circumference [WC] were measured while Fasting Plasma Glucose [FPG], Triglycerides [TAG] and HDL-Cholesterol [HDL-C] levels were estimated by routine methods in laboratory with quality assurance
RESULTS: More than half i.e.30 [53.6%] of subjects had Metabolic Syndrome [MS] as per ATP IIIA criteria. Further 25% [n=14]of subjects were positive for two components of MS. Low HDL-C levels were most prevalent component followed by hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and increased WC while hypertension was least common component
CONCLUSION: Metabolic Syndrome and its various components are frequently co morbidity in patients with Schizophrenia