Influence of Lifestyle Factors on Metabolic Syndrome in Psychiatric Patients Attending a Community Mental Health Setting: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a concern in psychiatric patients. We aimed to study the influence of the modifiable lifestyle factors on MetS in adult psychiatric patients along with associated clinical factors and quality of life. Methods: Factors such as diet (Healthy Eating Index), exercise, substance use, cardiovascular risk (QRISK), illness severity (Clinical Global Impression), medications, adverse events (Systematic Monitoring of Adverse Events Related to Treatments), and quality of life (Recovering Quality of Life Scale) were assessed along with clinical components for MetS in 323 psychiatric patients receiving routine care and monitoring in a Community Mental Health Team. Results: MetS was present in 50.5% (95% CI: 45.0–55.9). It was significantly associated with higher age, duration of mental illness, body mass index (BMI), QTc, QRISK, and antipsychotic drugs. In logistic regression, age, QTc, QRISK, and BMI remained significantly linked to MetS. Patients with or without MetS were comparable in their lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and substance use, along with the family history of metabolic disorders, age at onset of mental illness, duration of antipsychotic medication, side effects, psychiatric diagnoses, and quality of life. However, many patients with or without MetS had poorer diet and physical inactivity, indicating scope for interventions. Conclusions: Around half of the psychiatric patients had MetS, and modifiable lifestyle factors did not differentiate individuals with or without MetS. The need for further research on the prevention and management of MetS in psychiatric patients is highlighted.