Vascular age, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and hematological parameters in patients with Schizophrenia: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES

Patients with schizophrenia have shortened life expectancy due to greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Due to sparse data, index study was planned to assess the CVD risk factors, vascular age (VA), and hematological parameters in patients with schizophrenia and the concordance between Framingham Risk Score (FRS) for lipids and body mass index (BMI) (FRS and FRS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with schizophrenia ( = 53) were evaluated for the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) using the modified NCEP ATP III criteria, along with their functionality, illness severity, physical activity and nutritional score, FRS and FRS, and hematological parameters.

RESULTS

Prevalence of MS was 39.6%; in addition, 47% of patients were at risk for developing MS as they fulfilled one or two components of MS criteria and 56% of patients were obese. BMI, obesity, and RBC count were found as significant correlates for MS. CVD risk (FRS) median score (3.10) was comparable for BMI and lipid criteria along with significant correlation for FRS and FRS (r = 0.555, < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

VA and 10-year CVD risk (FRS for BMI and lipid criteria) represent easier way to communicate with the patients and caregivers and also to guide for comprehensive treatment plan, appropriate nutrition, physical activity, and cardiometabolic screening.