Background: Metabolic abnormalities contribute enormously to morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia.
Objectives: Our objectives were to determine the (i) prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS); and (ii) predictors for MS in schizophrenia patients from Assam.
Materials and methods: Seventy-five schizophrenia patients were evaluated for MS. Risk factors were assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Fifty-nine patients (78.7%) had a metabolic abnormality. Twenty-two patients (29.3%, 95% CI: 19.9%-40.8%) fulfilled the criteria for MS. Female gender (adjusted OR = 7.8, 95% CI: 1.7-36.4), smoking (adjusted OR = 7.9, 95% CI: 1.7-35.8), family history of chronic lifestyle disease (adjusted OR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.3-15.2), and atypical antipsychotic use (adjusted OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.1-16.9) significantly predicted MS.
Conclusion: Metabolic abnormalities exist widely in schizophrenics from Assam. Females, smokers, and those with family history of chronic diseases and using atypical antipsychotics are at greater risk.
Keywords: Metabolic abnormalities; Northeast India; schizophrenia.