A prospective, longitudinal study of metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Although cross sectional studies have evaluated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with bipolar patients (BPAD), data from longitudinal studies are limited.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of MetS in patients with BPAD, to observe the change in prevalence rate over a period of 6 months, to assess the prevalence of sub-threshold MetS (i.e., patients fulfilling one or two criteria of MetS) and to compare patients with BPAD and schizophrenia on the above mentioned parameters.

Methodology: Seventy five patients with BPAD and 53 patients with schizophrenia were initially evaluated for MetS and then followed up for a period of 6 months.

Results: According to consensus definition, prevalence of MetS at baseline was 40% in BPAD group and 32% in schizophrenia group. Over 6 months of follow-up the prevalence of MetS increased by 8% and 9.4% in the BPAD and the schizophrenia groups respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups on any of the assessments. Another 28-32% of patients in the BPAD group also fulfilled two criteria and 13-17% fulfilled at least one criterion of MetS at different points of assessment. Similarly, 19-26% of the patients with schizophrenia met at least two and 23-26% of the patients fulfilled at least one criterion of MetS.

Limitation: The study was limited by small sample size, inclusion and the relatively short follow-up period.

Conclusion: 40% patients with BPAD and 32% with schizophrenia have MetS and the prevalence of MetS increases by 8-9.4% over 6 months.

Keywords: Bipolar disorder; Metabolic syndrome; Schizophrenia.