In addition to the psychiatric symptoms associated with
BD, there is also evidence suggesting that BD patients are
at increased risk for clinical diseases in comparison to
healthy controls. A sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and an
unhealthy diet are prejudicial factors, as are metabolic
disorders and neurological/cardiovascular diseases.2
As
a result, patients with BD have a life expectancy that is
reduced by 25 to 30 years.3
Among the clinical diseases that are comorbid
with BD, there is evidence of a high rate of metabolic
syndrome (MS) in bipolar patients. MS is collection of
metabolic risk factors with an unknown etiologic basis and
pathophysiological mechanisms that increases the chances
of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.3
The prevalence of MS in the world population ranges from
6.0% to 70.3%, depending on variables such as diagnosis
criteria, comorbidities, ethnic group and sex.4
In bipolar patients, MS comorbidity is associated with
a more complex disease, a less favorable response to
treatment, and adverse courses and outcomes, such as
an increased risk for depressive symptoms and episodes,
including the risk of suicide.5,6
Thus, the aim of this study is to summarize data on
metabolic syndrome in patients with BD.