Monitoring of the Metabolic Syndrome in Psychiatric Inpatients

Abstract

In this naturalistic observational study carried out in an inpatient treatment setting we as yet surveyed the parameters of the metabolic syndrome. A weekly monitoring procedure was implemented. The analysis included data of 350 patients over a time of 12 weeks. The last observation carried forward method was applied. Additionally we are evaluating the informative value of visceral body fat percentage as measured by a body composition analyzer. The patients showed a weight increase over the first 12 weeks (mean increase: 0.87 kg, p < .001) as well as an increase of the body mass index (mean increase: 0.45 kg/m², p < .001). Accordingly, waist circumference (mean increase: 1.06 cm, p = .007) and visceral fat index (mean increase: 0.19, p = .007) increased. No worsening of fasting glucose and blood lipid concentrations was detected. Spearmens coefficient indicated correlations between visceral fat index and body mass index (ρ = .77; p < .001), waist circumference (ρ = .70; p < .001), and triglyceride concentrations (ρ = .39; p < .001). Correlations between visceral fat index and fasting glucose (ρ = .18; p = .019), and visceral fat index and total cholesterol (ρ = .16; p = .049) were weak but also significant. In contrast, the HDL cholesterol showed a negative relation with ρ < -.39 at each point in time (p < .001).

We conclude that psychiatric patients are at increased risk for the development of metabolic alterations during inpatient treatment. The possible underlying mechanisms of this interaction are discussed.