Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with schizophrenia - the role of metformin

Andrzej Milewicz; Diana Jędrzejuk

Vol 5, No 4 (2009)

Prace poglądowe

Published online: 2009-12-11

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Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with schizophrenia - the role of metformin

Andrzej Milewicz, Diana Jędrzejuk

Endokrynol. Otył. Zab. Przem. Mat 2009;5(4):233-235.

Vol 5, No 4 (2009)

Prace poglądowe

Published online: 2009-12-11

Abstract

Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental disorders and it often affects young people. The disease is associated with 25% shortening of life span due to cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease in patients suffering from schizophrenia is on one hand associated with an increased incidence of risk factors, i.e. visceral obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, and on the other with stimulation of some of these factors by antipsychotic drugs. The therapy of schizophrenia is long term, the negative metabolically effect of antipsychotic drugs depends on the kind of drug. It should be emphasized that 95% of schizophrenia patients present with chronic nicotinism. Concluding, when we see in our medical office a patient suffering from schizophrenia, we should evaluate the risk factors and depending on them, together with a psychiatrist, select most metabolically friendly drug for the patient.