The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving antipsychotics in Qatar: a cross sectional comparative study

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic abnormalities are common in patients maintained on antipsychotics. These abnormalities increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality in this population. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in subjects maintained on antipsychotics relative to controls in Qatar, and to assess the factors contributing to the development of MetS.MethodsA cross sectional design was used to collect data and fasting blood samples from subjects maintained on antipsychotics for at least six months (n = 112) and from a control group (n = 114). The groups were compared in regard to prevalence of MetS, and multiple regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors in each group.ResultsThe two groups (antipsychotics vs. control) were similar in regard to age (35.73 ± 10.28 vs. 35.73 ± 8.16 years) and gender ratio. The MetS was higher among the subjects on antipsychotics, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Blood pressure (BP) was significantly higher in the antipsychotics group and BMI was the major risk factor to develop MetS in this group.ConclusionsThe prevalence of MetS in both groups is high and mostly attributed to obesity and high BP. Public health interventions are needed to address this major health problem overall. Larger studies are needed to further assess the impact of antipsychotics and mental illness on the development of MetS.

Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome Among Patients Receiving Antipsychotics: A Retrospective Study

“…It is challenging to control for all these confounders, but some studies attempted to look at the various demographic and clinical variables that might be associated with metabolic abnormalities. Such studies have shown that women tend to show more weight gain on AP (Bener et al 2014;Gates et al 2016;Santini et al 2016) than men but other studies showed mixed results in regard to gender (Hammoudeh et al 2018;Lin et al 2015;Susce et al 2005). Concerning ethnicity, a previous study from Qatar showed that non-Arabs were more prone to develop metabolic changes in the population of Qatar (Hammoudeh et al 2018), but other community studies worldwide showed no differences across race or ethnicity (Gates et al 2016;Phillips et al 2015).…”

“…Concerning ethnicity, a previous study from Qatar showed that non-Arabs were more prone to develop metabolic changes in the population of Qatar (Hammoudeh et al 2018), but other community studies worldwide showed no differences across race or ethnicity (Gates et al 2016;Phillips et al 2015). Several studies have also demonstrated that older age, long duration of treatment, and smoking are associated with more metabolic changes in patients with mental illness and receiving AP (Hammoudeh et al 2018;Santini et al 2016;Sweileh et al 2012).…”

“…Thus, it seems that ethnicity and culture might variably affect the metabolic changes associated with the intake of AP for various psychiatric disorders. A recent study in Qatar reported a MetS prevalence rate of 31.9% and 22.8% among patients maintained on AP and the general population, respectively (Hammoudeh et al 2018). An earlier study in Qatar reported a MetS prevalence rate of 36.5% and 18.7% among schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, respectively (Bener et al 2014).…”

Quality of Diabetes Care in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Study.

“…However, the level of obesity (BMI) and glycemic control (HbA1c) was comparable between the two groups. A recent study in Qatar also found no difference in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving antipsychotics (9). The high prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the Qatar population could explain a lack of further effect of antipsychotics or schizophrenia on these outcomes (2, 3).…”

“…Nielsen et al showed that second generation antipsychotics were associated with an increased risk of diabetes (8). However, a study in Qatar did not nd a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving antipsychotics (9). Dysglycemia is also associated with the severity of schizophrenia, particularly negative symptoms and cognitive impairment (10).…”