Total white blood cell count, liver enzymes, and metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important clinical issue in patients with schizophrenia, but its associated factors are still ambiguous. The aim of the present study was to test whether there are any associations between MetS and white blood cell (WBC) levels, liver enzymes, or sociodemographic variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 91 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program's Third Adult Treatment Protocol criteria to evaluate MetS in patients. Schizophrenia patients with MetS were compared with those without MetS on the basis of demographic and clinical characteristics and total WBC counts. We conducted Spearman's correlation and binary logistic regression analyses to achieve the best prediction of MetS in schizophrenia.

RESULTS: Compared with schizophrenia patients without MetS, those with MetS were older, less educated, and more likely to be smokers. They were also more likely to have a longer duration of the illness, a longer untreated period, and higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and WBC levels. MetS was correlated with age, duration of illness, income, ALT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, WBC, and hemoglobin values. Age and WBC levels were found to be the best predictors of MetS.

CONCLUSION: Hemograms and liver tests should be conducted to test for MetS in schizophrenia.