Screening for metabolic risk factors in women treated for schizophrenia

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature death, especially in people with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia. Metabolic risk factors are partially attributable to unhealthy lifestyle, including poor diet and lack of regular physical activity, as well as side effects of antipsychotic medications [1−3]. Women diagnosed with schizophrenia and treated with antipsychotic medications constitute a specific subgroup of the population with higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome, and therefore they should be routinely screened and treated for metabolic risk factors. In this pilot study, we investigated the metabolic risk factors among hospitalized women treated for schizophrenia