Audit of metabolic syndrome in adults prescribed clozapine in community and long-stay in-patient populations

Abstract

Aims and methods: To calculate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving clozapine in community and long-stay in-patient settings. Patients were assessed using measures specified by the Expert Panel of the US National Cholesterol Education Program. Results: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was calculated as 53% in the community groups and 11% in the inpatient group, although both sample sizes (particularly the in-patient group) were small. Women were more frequently affected than men in the community population. Clinical implications: The higher percentage of metabolic syndrome in the community patients receiving clozapine has implications with respect to physical health. The reasons for the lower percentage in the in-patient group are unclear. Our findings point to a possible difference in the physical health of long-stay psychiatric in-patients and patients in the community.