The prevalence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of insulin resistance in Chinese patients with schizophrenia

• Main Authors: Chen Lin, Ke Chen, Rongzhen Zhang, Weihong Fu, Jianjin Yu, Lan Gao, Haiqing Ni, Jiaqi Song, Dachun Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-01-01
• Series: Comprehensive Psychiatry
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010440X19300689

Background: Studies have shown that patients with schizophrenia are at a high risk of developing insulin resistance (IR). We investigated the prevalence of IR and its clinical correlates in hospitalized Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 193 patients with schizophrenia (113 males and 80 females) were recruited for the study. We collected their demographic and clinical data, including data on their plasma glucose and lipid levels. All patients were rated using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) to assess cognitive function, while Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess psychopathology. The cut-off value for the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was set at 1.7. Results: The prevalence of IR was 37.82% (73/193). The IR patients had significantly higher waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index (BMI), and higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels compared to non-IR patients (all p < .05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, BMI, and TG and LDL levels are significant predictors of IR. In addition, correlation analysis showed that IR was significantly correlated with the waist-to-hip ratio, BMI, and LDL level (Bonferroni corrected p < .05). The multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that the BMI and FPG are associated with the IR index. There was no significant difference in IR index between patients who were taking different antipsychotics. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of IR and its risk factors in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Active weight control to reduce the BMI and waist circumference and reducing the number of cigarettes consumed, may be essential to decrease the incidence of IR in patients with schizophrenia. Keywords: Schizophrenia, Insulin resistance, Prevalence, Risk factors