OBJECTIVE

To study the prognostic value of atherogenicity indices in schizophrenia patients taking antipsychotics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 460 patients with schizophrenia. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. The atherogenic coefficient (AC), the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), the Castelli Risk Index I (CRI-I), and the Castelli Risk Index II (CRI-II) were calculated.

RESULTS

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study patients was 27.2%. When comparing metabolic parameters and calculated atherogenicity indices between patient groups, statistically significant differences were found in all parameters (p>0.05), except low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0.069). AIP had a higher area under the curve (AUC) (0.821; 95% CI 0.775—0.819) than AC and CRI-I (0.716; 95% CI 0.665—0.767), while CRI-II had the lowest AUC (0.629, 95% CI 0.564—0.695). The optimal cut-off points for metabolic syndrome prediction and their corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 0.24, 81.2%, and 70.4% for AIP; 3.25, 55.5%, and 79.2% for AC; 4.25, 55.5%, and 79.2% for CRI-I; and 2.31, 43%, and 79.1% for CRI-II.

CONCLUSION

The results of the comparative study showed that AIP was the most sensitive marker of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia taking antipsychotics. This marker can be recommended for use in clinical practice to reduce the risk of antipsychotic therapy side effects.