Metabolic Syndrome among Patients Taking Atypical Antipsychotics: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study at Erada and Mental Health Complex in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) are widely used for treating psychiatric disorders due to their favorable side effect profile compared to First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs). However, SGAs are associated with significant metabolic side effects. This study aims to explore the sociodemographic and health differences between individuals using SGAs and those not using them.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with 148 participants, including 102 SGA users and 46 non-users. Data were collected from patients and medical records, encompassing sociodemographic factors and health variables including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and BMI. Statistical analyses included chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to compare the two groups.

Results: SGA users had higher rates of overweight and obesity compared to non-users (p = 0.000), with 30.4% overweight and 29.4% obese among SGA users versus 21.7% overweight and 4.3% obese among non-users. A higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease was observed in SGA users (11.8% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.076). Although not statistically significant, trends indicated higher rates of diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia in non-users (30.4% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.110 and 7% vs. 0%, p = 0.083, respectively).

Conclusion: This study highlights significant differences in BMI and cardiovascular disease prevalence between SGA users and non-users, reinforcing the need for comprehensive metabolic monitoring in patients treated with SGAs. The findings underscore the importance of considering sociodemographic factors in managing the health risks associated with SGA use. Further research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs is warranted to better understand these associations and develop targeted interventions.