Gender differences in prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome in first-treatment and drug-naïve schizophrenia patients

Abstract

Abstract Background: Metabolic syndromes (MetS) are clinical syndromes involving multiple pathological states with distinct gender differences clinical patterns. As a serious psychiatric disorder, the prevalence of MetS is significantly higher in this subgroup of the population with schizophrenia (Sch). The aim of this paper is to report gender differences in the prevalence, associated factors and severity-related factors of MetS in first-treatment and drug-naïve (FTDN) Sch patients. Methods: A total of 668 patients with FTDN Sch were included in this study. Demographic and general clinical information on the included population was collected and the severity of their psychopathology was assessed. Results: In the target group, the prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in women (13.44%, 57/424) than in men (6.56%, 16/244). In the males, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and triglycerides (TG) were risk factors for the diagnosis of MetS. While, systolic blood pressure (SBP), TG, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and platelet (PLT) were risk factors for the females. More importantly, we found that age, LDL-C, Positive and Negative Symptom Scales (PANSS) scores and blood creatinine (CRE) were risk factors for higher MetS scores, while onset age and hemoglobin (HGB) were protective factors. Conclusion: There are gender differences in the prevalence of MetS in FTDN Sch patients, with a higher prevalence in women. Factors influencing MetS and its severity differ extensively between male and female patients. Targeted management strategies should be differentiated for patients of different genders in clinical practice.