Metabolic syndrome in psychiatric patients: overview, mechanisms, and implications
- Jonathan Deschenes
- 11 oct. 2024
- 1 min de lecture
Having a metabolic disorder like insulin resistance may double the risk of depression.
Psychiatric patients face significantly higher risks of premature mortality, primarily from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This elevated risk is largely due to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of conditions that heighten cardiovascular risk, including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. These risks span various mental health disorders, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.
The connection between MetS and psychiatric conditions is not coincidental but is influenced by multiple factors. Unhealthy lifestyle choices and poor adherence to medical regimens, common among those with psychiatric conditions, contribute significantly to the increased risk of MetS. Additionally, some psychotropic medications exacerbate MetS symptoms, compounding the risk.
Interestingly, there is also a genetic overlap that predisposes individuals to both psychiatric and metabolic disturbances, underscoring the complex interplay of genetics and health. This genetic basis extends to shared pathways in immunometabolic and endocrine systems, which influence both MetS and psychiatric disorders.
This complex web of physiological and environmental factors makes psychiatric patients particularly vulnerable to MetS, highlighting an urgent need for tailored preventive measures and treatments. The integration of regular MetS screenings in psychiatric care can be crucial. By addressing metabolic health proactively, healthcare providers can not only improve the physical health outcomes of these patients but potentially alleviate some psychiatric symptoms as well, due to the interconnected nature of mental and metabolic health.
This emerging insight calls for a more holistic approach to treating psychiatric patients, recognizing the profound impact of metabolic health on overall well-being.
Comments