[A study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease among schizophrenic              patients using the rehabilitation mental health services at Kleppur].
BACKGROUND
Studies have shown that schizophrenic patients die on average 15-20 years earlier than the normal population, and that increased prevalance of cardiovascular risk factors plays a crucial role Schizophrenic patients are underdiagnosed and undertreated when it comes to diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia among schizophrenic patients in Iceland.


METHODS
An observational study of 106 schizophrenic patients in Iceland during the period 2007-2009. The results were compared to age adjusted population based data.


RESULTS
106 patients participated, 86 men and 20 women. In all 57% were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (p<0.0001) in comparison to 14.1% in the general population. In all 73% were smokers (21% in the general population) p<0.0001 and 23.6% had hypertension of which only 20% were treated with anti-hypertensive medication. The average systolic blood pressure was 134.8 mmHg <0.001. In all 15.1% had a fasting glucose over 7 mmol/l but only 38% were previously diagnosed with diabetes. The average BMI was 29.7 kg/m² p=0.0007, 45.3% were obese (BMI >30 kg/m²). Only 32.1% had normal BMI, and 82.1% had waist circumference over the normal limits.


CONCLUSION
The physical condition of Icelandic schizophrenic patients is poor and their risk for cardiovascular diseases is high. It is necessary to follow their weight, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipids more closely It is imperative to educate and enable the schizophrenic patient to live a healthier life.