Prevalence and clinical and laboratory features of carbohydrate metabolism disorders and type 2 diabetes in patients with schizophrenia

Aim

To compare the prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders and type 2 diabetes mellitus, plasma insulin and Cpeptide levels and insulin resistance values in patients with schizophrenia and mentally healthy individuals.

Material and methods

We studied plasma glycemia in 146 patients with schizophrenia and 602 patients without mental illnesses. Plasma insulin and C-peptide levels were measured in patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders. HOMA-IR and CARO indices were calculated.

Results

The prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders was numerically higher in patients with schizophrenia. In females, the difference between two groups has reached statistical significance. Only 6 of 20 patients with schizophrenia and carbohydrate metabolism disorders were treated with atypical neuroleptics. Carbohydrate metabolism disorders in patients with schizophrenia were associated with the lower plasma insulin and C-peptide levels and insulin resistance.

Conclusion

In patients with schizophrenia, hypoinsulinemia seems to play more important role in the development of carbohydrate metabolism disorders than insulin resistance.

Key words

Schizophrenia, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, type 2 diabetes, insulinemia, insulin resistance.