BACKGROUND

Antipsychotic medications are commonly used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia. On the other hand, antipsychotic medications can cause side effects that are associated with decreased life expectancy.

 

AIM

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) among schizophrenic patients.

 

METHOD

Two hundred fifty schizophrenic patients were recruited from governmental psychiatric clinics in northern West Bank of Palestine. Blood samples were obtained and analyzed for lipid and glucose level.

 

RESULTS

The prevalence of antipsychotic combination was 50.4%. Analysis of the results showed 60.7% of patients had at least one abnormal lipid parameter. Based on WHO criteria, 27 patients (10.8%) had diabetes and 34 (13.6%) had pre-diabetes. The overall MS prevalence was 43.6%. On average, the study patients had 2.3 ± 1.3 metabolic abnormalities.

 

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of MS is high in schizophrenic patients. Therefore, appropriate interventional strategy for prevention, detection and treatment of these disorders among schizophrenic patients is needed.

Conference Title

Frontiers in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice: A global perspective

Conference Country

Jordan

Conference Date

Oct. 21, 2015 - Oct. 23, 2016

Conference Sponsor

Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan