Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in veterans with schizophrenia.

UNLABELLED

The metabolic syndrome has become a focus of clinical attention due to its high prevalence in the United States (23%) and impact on cardiovascular risk, yet limited data exist on the prevalence of this syndrome among U.S. veterans with schizophrenia.

METHODS

A convenience sample of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was obtained from inpatient units and outpatient clinics at Veterans Affairs medical centers in San Diego and Los Angeles.

RESULTS

In this predominantly male (92.5%) sample of 80 veterans, with mean age of 49.0 years, the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 51.2%, more than twice the age-adjusted prevalence in the general U.S. population. The female cohort was small (n = 6), but had a greater mean body mass index and higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than the male subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in this sample of patients with schizophrenia and represents an enormous source of cardiovascular disease risk. Clinicians who treat patients with schizophrenia should monitor for the parameters that define the metabolic syndrome as part of the ongoing management of patients treated with antipsychotics.