Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia are among the main risk factors for the development
and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The magnitude of CVD among schizophrenia
patients was higher than in the general population. Even though many studies have been conducted
abroad, getting published documents is difficult in Ethiopia.
Objective: This study aimed to assess blood glucose and serum lipid profiles levels among
schizophrenia patients at the UGCSH with respective controls.
Methods: Hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from August 20 to
October 30, 2021. An equal number of cases and control groups (n =77 each) were recruited. The
cases and controls were enrolled using systematic random and purposive sampling techniques,
respectively. The data were entered to Epidata version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 26. Blood
glucose and serum lipid profiles levels were measured using DXC Beckman Coulter clinical
chemistry analyzer. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used to compare blood glucose and serum
lipid profiles levels. Linear regression was used to assess the association between outcome and
predictor variables. The significance level was set at P <0.05 with a 95% Confidence interval.
Result: Dyslipidemia was found in 30.4% of schizophrenic patients who were taking antipsychotic
drugs, 19% in new patients, and 6.5% in controls. The most common serum lipid profile
abnormalities were low HDL-C which were 17.9% for treated patients, 14.3% for new cases and
5.2% for controls. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose among patients who are on
antipsychotic drug was 3.6%, while it was 0% for the new patients and healthy controls.
Antipsychotic using patients had higher mean TC (162.8�.3) and LDL (94.6�.5), but lower
mean HDL (46.6�7) than controls TC (151.6�.4), LDL (78.1�) level and HDL (53.7�2),
respectively. There was no significant difference in the level of FBS between patients and controls.
The level of TC, TG, and HDL among new patients and controls were statistically insignificant. For
a unit increment in BMI, the TG and LDL levels were expected to increase by an average of 1.83
mg/dL and 2.2 mg/dL respectively. Antipsychotic usage was found to be a significant predictor of
TC, LDL, and HDL levels. HDL level among female was 5.19 mg/dL lower on average than males.
Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia were higher among patients than
controls. Antipsychotic usage was found to be a significant predictor of TC, LDL, and HDL levels
BMI was found a significant predictor of TG and LDL. Being female was associated with significant
reduction in HDL. There was no significant difference in FBS levels between patients and controls.
Keywords; Schizophrenia; Lipid profiles; Blood glucose level; Ethiopia
