A Study of Quality of Life and Body Image in Schizophrenia Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Yun, In Seon; Go, Hyo Seon; Lee, Sang Yeol

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, associated factors in schizophrenia patients and whether metabolic syndrome have an effect on health related quality of life (QoL) and body image.
METHODS
81 subjects were included in this study, who were diagnosed as schizophrenia defined by DSM-IV criteria and admitted in neuropsychiatric department, Wonkwang University Hospital. For each subject, anthropometric index and laboratory parameters were measured. Metabolic syndrome defined by National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. The subjects were evaluated health related QoL with Short-Form 36 Health Survey-Korean (SF-36-K), and were evaluated body image with Body Image Scale.
RESULTS
Of patients, 24.7% had metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was associated with long duration of illness. The patients with metabolic syndrome showed poorer QoL, especially role physical and bodily pain in SF-36-K. Also, the patients with metabolic syndrome had negative body image, especially body feature, compared to the patients without metabolic syndrome.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that metabolic syndrome is common among patients with chronic schizophrenia. Also It may lead to lowering of QoL and deterioration of body image. So clinicians should be cautious to aware the increased risk for the metabolic syndrome and intervene actively to prevent and treat metabolic morbidity among chronic patients with schizophrenia.