Comparison of fasting blood sugar between patients with schizophrenia and control group

Background

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder with unknown etiology. It seems that many endocrine and metabolic abnormalities are present in the schizophrenic patients. This study was done to determine the rate of abnormal plasma glucose levels in schizophrenic patients.

Materials and methods

Thirty two schizophrenic patients (16 male and 16 female) encountered in a cross-sectional descriptive survey. The fasting glucose levels of the patients were compared with normal subjects. For comparison of data, student's t. test was used.

Results

Five of the subjects in the patients group had impaired fasting glucose tolerance as defined by the American Diabetic Association Criteria (110–125 mg./dl.) In the control group, on the other hand, only 1 person had impaired fasting glucose tolerance (p = 0.015)

Discussion

According to the results of this study, and also some others, it seems that abnormal levels of glucose are more common in schizophrenics than total population. It is strongly recommended that patients with schizophrenia be carefully examined for diabetes mellitus or abnormal glucose tolerance.