RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The incidence of the metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is increasing worldwide and is suggested to be higher among psychiatric patients, especially those on antipsychotic treatment. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Danish psychiatric outpatients and compare it with the general population. METHODS: In a cross-sectional, observational study in 2007-08, 170 Danish outpatients on antipsychotic drug treatment were monitored for the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition and compared with a general population group of 3303 randomly selected Danes. RESULTS: Of the antipsychotic-treated patients 48.2% fulfilled the IDF criteria for the metabolic syndrome, compared with 29.6% of the general population. The antipsychotic-treated patients had higher rates of increased waist circumference, triglyceride and glucose levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Compared with the general population, the odds ratio (OR) of the metabolic syndrome among antipsychotic-treated patients was 2.2. After adjustment for age and sex, the OR increased to 2.7. In the antipsychotic-treated group, statistically different rates of the metabolic syndrome for patients in monopharmacy vs. polypharmacy, and for patients in monotherapy with first-generation vs. second-generation antipsychotics, could not be found. CONCLUSION: The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among a Danish outpatient population treated with antipsychotics compared with the general population. Monitoring of lipid and glucose levels, blood pressure and waist circumference before start-up and during treatment with antipsychotic medication is of pivotal importance in order to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this patient population.