Clozapine and Cardiometabolic Health in Chronic Schizophrenia: Correlations and Consequences in a Clinical Context

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its putative precursors in a naturalistic study of non-acute inpatients at a psychiatric hospital.

Method: Anthropometric and biochemical data collected from the hospital's annual cardiometabolic survey, along with information about prescribed medications, were used to assess the prevalence and predictors of physical health problems in patients with schizophrenia.

Results: Of the 167 patients included in the survey, 52.4% met criteria for metabolic syndrome. A shorter duration of hospital admission and clozapine use were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome. Age, gender, duration of admission and clozapine use were all predictors of individual cardiometabolic risk factors.

Conclusions: The findings from this naturalistic study reinforce the high prevalence of physical health problems in patients with schizophrenia and the important influence that psychiatric treatments can have on physical health. The impact of clozapine on cardiometabolic health appears to occur early in the course of treatment and emphasizes the need for proactive monitoring and interventions from the outset of management.