High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients: A review of the literature

Abstract

Schizophrenic patients have a standardized mortality rate that more than doubles the expected rate for the rest of the population. A substantial percentage of the morbidity and mortality in these patients is due to cardiovascular disease. The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among schizophrenics and produces a 2-4-fold increase in coronary risk. The objective of the present study was to analyze the few reports published on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients and on the associated sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and psychopharmacological variables. Most reports concur on the high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients and, therefore, the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of its components is essential to reduce cardiovascular risk in these individuals.