Gender Differences in Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dyslipidemia in Initial-Treatment and Drug-Naïve Schizophrenia Patients.

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is frequently comorbid with schizophrenia (SCZ), and both conditions often demonstrate significant gender differences in their clinical features. This study specifically focuses on investigating the prevalence of dyslipidemia and the factors that contribute to it in initial-treatment and drug-naïve (ITDN) SCZ patients, specifically focusing on gender differences. A total of 224 male ITDN SCZ patients and 424 female ITDN SCZ patients were included in this study. Socio-demographic and general clinical data of the patients were collected, and routine biochemical parameters, such as lipid levels, fasting blood glucose, thyroid function, renal function, and blood cell counts, were measured. Patients were also assessed for psychopathology and disease severity using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale - Severity of Illness (CGI-SI), respectively. In addition, a lipids score was calculated for assessing the severity of dyslipidemia. The study revealed that the prevalence of dyslipidemia in male patients was 34.02% (83/224), whereas 33.25% (141/424) in females, indicating no statistically significant difference (χ2 = 0.04, p = 0.841). For males, the risk factors for dyslipidemia were high education levels and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), while red blood cell count (RBC) as a protective factor. Additionally, DBP was identified as a risk factor for dyslipidemia score. In females, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was identified as a risk factor for dyslipidemia, while being married and creatinine (CRE) levels were found to be protective factors. Moreover, SBP was revealed as a risk factor for dyslipidemia score. No significant gender differences were observed in the prevalence of dyslipidemia among the ITDN SCZ patients. However, notable gender differences were identified in the factors influencing dyslipidemia and its severity within this group. These findings suggest the necessity of implementing gender-specific interventions to address the potential risk factors associated with dyslipidemia.