Prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients from Assam

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.