Objective: Metabolic syndrome in patients with severe mental illness is great concern in treatment. We assessed the change in the rate of metabolic syndrome in patients with treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Methods: Medical record of outpatient psychiatric department in Seoul National University Hospital from Jan. 2007 to Sep. 2009 were reviewed and data of metabolic syndrome which were repeatedly measured in patients diagnosed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder were collected.
Results: 184 patients with schizophrenia and 74 patients with bipolar disorder had the repeated data of MetS with mean interval of 55.2 weeks(SD 23.2). Mean age, duration of illness and treatment, body mass index (BMI) at the first measurement and the interval of the measurements were not different between the two diagnostic groups. But, sex distribution and rates of MetS at the first measurement were significantly different between the two diagnostic groups (p=0.05 and p=0.03). Among patients without MetS (N=181) at the first measurement, 47 patients (26.0%) had MetS newly. Twenty-two patients (28.6%) among patients with MetS (N=77) at the first measurement had no MetS at the second measurement. Rates of MetS have changed from 29.8% to 39.5%, which is a significant increase (p<0.01). Patients with Schizophrenia have shown a significantly increased rate of Mets (p<0.01). In patients with bipolar disorder, the rate was increased but had no statistical significance.
Discussion: The rate of MetS in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder increase significantly in the course of treatment.