DIABETES-MELLITUS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

Studies conducted in the United States and Japan indicate that diabete s mellitus is more common among schizophrenic patients than among the general population. The prevalence of known diabetes was examined in 9 5 schizophrenic patients aged 45 to 74 years admitted to a long-term c are facility in Italy. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 15.8% (9 5% confidence interval, 12.1% to 19.5%), and increased from 0% in thos e younger than 50 years, through 12.9% in the 50- to 59-year age group , and to 18.9% in the 60- to 69-year age group, and then decreased to 16.7% in those aged 70 to 74 years. These rates are considerably highe r than those reported from population surveys in Italy, and indicate t hat a higher prevalence of diabetes in schizophrenic patients may be a universal phenomenon. The clinical picture indicated that in all case s this was the common variant of type II (noninsulin-dependent) diabet es mellitus, Diabetes was more common in patients not receiving neurol eptics than in those who were receiving such treatment. There was no a ssociation between diabetes and the use of anticholinergic drugs. Copy right (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company