Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with Schizophrenia, in
a tertiary care armed forces setup.
STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study.
PLACE AND DURATION: Department of Psychiatry, PNS SHIFA, Karachi from October 2009 to
April 2010.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty six patients with Schizophrenia reporting for management in
PNS SHIFA were enrolled as subjects. Demographic variables and other confounding variables
were recorded in a structured Performa, Blood Pressure (BP) and Waist Circumference (WC)
were measured while Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Triglycerides (TAG) and HDL-Cholesterol
(HDL-C) levels were estimated by routine methods in laboratory with quality assurance.
RESULTS: More than half i.e.30 (53.6%) of subjects had Metabolic Syndrome (MS) as per ATP IIIA
criteria. Further 25% (n=14) of subjects were positive for two components of MS. Low HDL-C
levels were most prevalent component followed by hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and
increased WC while hypertension was least common component.
CONCLUSION: Metabolic Syndrome and its various components are frequently co morbidity in
patients with Schizophrenia.
