A comparative study of prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome in various psychiatric disorders in state of Haryana: More than 30 years Vs. less than 30 years

Relationship between theory of mind and metabolic parameters and functioning in patients with bipolar I disorder

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the relationship theory of mind abilities with functionality and metabolic alteration in patients with bipolar disorder-1 (BD-1) during the remission period. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study is consisted of 68 patients with bipolar disorder-1 and 45 healthy controls. Sociodemographic form, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), Bipolar Disorder Functioning Questionnaire (BDFQ) were administered to the participants. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) levels were recorded. Results: There were significant differences between the patient group and healthy control group in terms of WC, BMI, HDL, LDL, TG. The results of independent samples t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in RMET score between the two groups with control group significantly higher than patient group. Conclusion: Patients with BD-1 during the remission period have lower performance on theory of mind abilities and more alteration in metabolic parameters than healthy controls. Metabolic alteration and theory of mind impairment should be potential treatment target for BD

Specific metabolic syndrome components predict cognition and social functioning in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and severe mental disorders

OBJECTIVE

Obesity and metabolic diseases such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) are more prevalent in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SZ). MetS components might be associated with neurocognitive and functional impairments in these individuals. The predictive and discriminatory validity of MetS and its components regarding those outcomes were assessed from prospective and transdiagnostic perspectives.

METHODS

Metabolic syndrome components and neurocognitive and social functioning were assessed in 165 subjects, including 30 with SZ, 42 with BD, 35 with MDD, 30 with T2DM, and 28 healthy controls (HCs). A posteriori, individuals were classified into two groups. The MetS group consisted of those who met at least three of the following criteria: abdominal obesity (AO), elevated triglycerides (TG), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), elevated blood pressure (BP), and elevated fasting glucose (FPG); the remaining participants comprised the No-MetS group. Mixed one-way analysis of covariance and linear and binary logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Cognitive impairment was significantly greater in the MetS group (n = 82) than in the No-MetS group (n = 83), with small effect sizes (p < 0.05; η²p = 0.02 - 0.03). In both groups, the most robust associations between MetS components and neurocognitive and social functioning were observed with TG and FPG (p < 0.05). There was also evidence for a significant relationship between cognition and BP in the MetS group (p < 0.05). The combination of TG, FPG, elevated systolic BP and HDL best classified individuals with greater cognitive impairment (p < 0.001), and TG was the most accurate (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific MetS components are significantly associated with cognitive impairment across somatic and psychiatric disorders. Our findings provide further evidence on the summative effect of MetS components to predict cognition and social functioning and allow the identification of individuals with worse outcomes. Transdiagnostic, lifestyle-based therapeutic interventions targeted at that group hold the potential to improve health outcomes.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Schizophrenia in India: Evidence, Gaps, and Way Forward

Background: The importance of physical health among persons with schizophrenia is well-established. Studies from developed and developing countries indicated a strong association between cardiovascular diseases and schizophrenia, while evidence from India is scattered and in its infancy. Hence, the aims of the study were to collate available studies from India on cardiovascular diseases among persons with schizophrenia, identify knowledge gaps and challenges, and discuss recommendations to improve clinical care and research on cardiovascular diseases among persons with schizophrenia in India. Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature review of Indian studies on cardiovascular diseases and schizophrenia was conducted to collate and synthesise available knowledge. Results: Several risk factors for cardiovascular disease predominated among persons with schizophrenia. Metabolic syndrome and obesity were the key factors that were reported. Knowledge gaps were identified with respect to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among persons with schizophrenia. Sparse research in interventions to prevent and reduce the impact of cardiovascular diseases among persons with schizophrenia was noted. Conclusion: Targeted efforts are needed at the clinic, community, and policy levels to understand the impact of cardiovascular diseases among persons with schizophrenia. Robust and feasible interventions targeting cardiovascular diseases and its varied risk factors in persons with schizophrenia, that can be implemented in tertiary mental health services, need to be developed and tested.