Metabolic syndrome and related factors in a large sample of antipsychotic naïve patients with first-episode psychosis: 3 years follow-up results from the PAFIP cohort

Abstract

Background

Latest studies in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) have shown alterations in cardiovascular, immune and endocrinological systems. These findings could indicate a systemic onset alteration in the metabolic disease as opposed to justifying these findings exclusively by antipsychotics’ side effects and long-term lifestyle consequences. In any case, this population is considered at higher risk for developing cardiometabolic disorders than their age-matched peers.

Methods

This is a prospective longitudinal study. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence between 244 subjects with FEP and 166 controls at 3 years was compared. Additionally, we explored whether baseline differences in any of the MetS components according to Adult Treatment Panel III definition and prescribed antipsychotic could help to predict the MetS development at 3 years.

Results

Patients with FEP present a similar baseline prevalence of MetS (6.6% vs 5.4%, p = 0.320), according to ATP-III criteria. but with a higher prevalence of metabolic alterations than controls before the start of antipsychotic treatment. At 3-years follow-up the MetS prevalence had increased from 6.6% to 18.3% in the FEP group, while only from 5.4% to 8.1% in the control group. The multivariate model showed that, before antipsychotic exposure, a baseline altered waist circumference WC (OR = 1.1, p = 0.011), triglycerides (OR = 1.1, p = 0.043) and high-density lipoprotein HDL (OR = 0.9, p = 0.008) significantly predicted the presence of MetS at 3-years. We propose a predictive model of MetS at 3 years in 244 drug-naïve FEP patients.

Conclusion

We found that altered WC, HDL and triglycerides at baseline predicted the presence of full MetS after 3-years of initiating antipsychotic treatment. Our findings support the need for interventions to improve factors related to the physical health of FEP individuals.