Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its correlation with sexual dysfunction in adult psychiatric patients treated with psychotropics in a tertiary care hospital

Summary Background In the past two decades, there has been a profound increase in the incidence of metabolic disorders among the general population, and psychotropics are also said to play a major role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Aim Determining the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sexual dysfunction (SD) and their correlation in psychiatric patients treated with psychotropics in a tertiary care hospital in Salem region, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in the psychiatric department of Vinayaka Mission’s Medical College and Hospitals, Salem on patients (n = 108) treated with psychotropics. The sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests for metabolic functions were collected and assessed to determine the presence of metabolic syndrome (as per NCEP ATP III criteria). All the results were statistically analysed and P‐value < .05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The overall prevalence of MetS in the study population was 25.93%. The study found significant relationships between using olanzapine, risperidone, buspirone, and the presence of MetS. Depression was also found to be associated with the development of MetS. Conclusion From this current study, it may be concluded that the psychiatric population is at risk for developing MetS, and the use of atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine, risperidone), anti‐anxiety agent (buspirone) and clinical depression is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. Hence, the metabolic function of psychiatric patients must be regularly assessed for early detection and management of any metabolic abnormalities. The study did not find a significant correlation between SD and MetS in psychiatric patients.