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Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the cardiovascular risk in patients with schizophrenia as well as the major risk factors (prevalence of metabolic syndrome, sedentary lifestyle, diet) in terms of their impact on cardiovascular illness.
Methods: The study was conducted between 04.2012 and 03.2013 in Erenkoy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Clinic with participants, who meet the criteria of DSM-IV for schizophrenia, with a diagnosis of chronic. 454 patients were included in the study, who agreed to participate in the study, 198 healthy people with no known psychiatric disorders, were included in the study as a control group. Cardiovascular risk was assessed with Framingham Risk Scoring (FRS) system. According to the degree of risk patients were classified as <10%, 10-20% and>20%, respectively, and tagged as low risk, medium risk and high risk groups. The presence of the metabolic syndrome was examined. To determine the level of physical activity, the Turkish version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form-seven days, was used. Dietary habits were evaluated by using the ‘Simplified fat screener and simplified fiber/fruit/vegetable screener’ scales.
Results: Mean age was 40.1±10.3 years in patients with schizophrenia (n=454) and 39.52±11.5 in the control group (n=198) (p>0.05). The average age of onset of schizophrenia was 24.96±7.9 years; mean disease duration was 15.1±8.7. Framingham risk score in the patient group was 4.75±6.14 and in the control group was 2.63±3.53. The difference was significant (t: 4.533, p<0.001). Fat-rich diet were detected in 65% of the patients and in 55.1% of the control group. The difference was significant. (χ²: 5.765, p=0.016). Physical activity levels were rated as mild activity in 61.2%, moderate activity in 38.1% and intense activity in 0.7% in the patient group. In the control group mild activity was existing in 46%, moderate activity in 50.5%, and intense activity in 3.5%. The difference was statistically significant (χ²: 11.18, p <0.001). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to ATP-III criteria was 29.1% in patient group and 7.6%in the control group. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome; according to ATP-III Acriteria in patient group was 33.7% and in the control group was 10.1%. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to IDF criteria in patient group was and in patient group 37.7% and in the control group was 10.1%. All the differences were significant (respectively, χ²: 36.49, p <0.001, χ²: 39.3, p <0.001, χ²: 50.7, p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study revealed a significantly increased mean 10-year CVD risk and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic schizophrenia compared with healthy controls. The evaluation of Framingham risk score and screening for MetS might decrease the excess CVD risk in patients with chronic schizophrenia.