Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients treated with antipsychotic medication

Background: The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Mets) in schizophrenic patients in a 6-month period of treatment with antipsychotic medication. Methods: In this study, 60 volunteer schizophrenic patients were included.  At the onset and 6 month after treated with antipsychotic medication, fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), weigh, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure   were determined. We defined Mets according to ATPIII criteria. Results: After 6 month treatment with antipsychotics drugs, the mean WC, serum TG, HDL, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased but the changes of WC and HDL were statistically significant (P<0.05).  We found that percentage of patients with high WC, low HDL levels, and Mets increased after treatment which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is recommended that nutritional and life style changes intervention should be implanted for schizophrenic patients undergoing treatment.