Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Taiwan

Objective: Because of ethnic differences in metabolic syndrome (MS) criteria, this study aimed to investigate the MS prevalence among patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Taiwan. Method: We recruited 650 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder from 36 psychiatric institutions. The MS prevalence was assessed based on the modified Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria for Asians. Results: The overall MS prevalence was 34.9%, with 38.9% in female and 31.5% in male patients respectively. The difference of MS prevalence between our sample and the general population was marked in male patients under 40 years of age and in female patients under 50 years old. Body mass index >= 24 and age over 40 years old are two important risk factors of MS. Female and polypharmacy had marginal significance with the presence of MS. Conclusion: Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Taiwan had a high prevalence of MS, which appeared early in their lives.