To establish the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its parameters in group of patients with schizophrenia in polypharmacy – receiving first generation antipsychotics versus clozapine alone treated group.

48 outpatients with schizophrenia divided into two groups: the first group of 21 patients in polypharmacy with first generation antipsychotics, and the second group of 27 patients treated with clozapine alone were assessed for the presence of metabolic syndrome. We used logistic regression models to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and antipsychotic therapy, gender and age.

metabolic syndrome was found in 52.1% of all subjects. Compared to first generation antipsychotics polypharmacy, the monopharmacy with clozapine was associated with elevated rates of metabolic syndrome (28.6% vs. 70.4%, p= 0.004). With regard to particular parameters of metabolic syndrome, the elevated plasma triglycerides were significantly more present in subjects within Clozapine group (p=0.03). Logistic regression analysis showed that female gender (p= 0.004), older age (p=0.56), and clozapine treatment (p= 0.005) were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome.

Results of this study are consistent with other studies, which showed that patients receiving Clozapine are at higher risk for metabolic abnormalities.

Compared to polypharmacy with first generation antipsychotics, the higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome is found in patients treated with Clozapine alone. The most prevalent metabolic disorder is dyslipidemia. Female gender, older age, clozapine treatment are significantly associated with metabolic syndrome.