The relationship between metabolic syndrome and impulsivity in patients with bipolar disorder

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent in people with bipolar disorder (BD), comparing to the general population. There are many risk factors effecting the development of MetS. Impulsivity has been shown to increase MetS parameters such as obesity and blood pressure indirectly in various studies. This study is based on the hypothesis that higher impulsivity may be observed in BB patients with comorbid MetS. The aim of this study is to draw attention to MetS, which is quite common in patients with BD, to examine the relationship between impulsivity and MetS by considering other possible related parameters and to contribute to the literature knowledge in this field. Methods: This study analyzed 125 bipolar patients in remission at psychiatry outpatient clinic of Trakya University Hospital. MetS parameters of patients were evaluated according to American National Cholesterol Education Program Third Adult Treatment Panel criteria. The Structured Clinical Interview, Young-Mania Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 (BDI-11), Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were applied to the patients. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in bipolar patients was 56% in our hospital. A backward stepwise logistic regression model showed that the total score of the BDI-11 (OR=1,192, 95% confidence interval 1.006-1.412, p=0.042) and daily sitting time of patients (OR=1.073, 95% CI 1.021-1.128, p=0.005) was significantly higher in bipolar patients with metabolic syndrome. Discussion: According to the results of our study, the prevalence of MetS is common in patients with BD and patients with BD who have higher impulsivity and sedentary life style have higher risk of metabolic syndrome. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2020; 21(3.000): 277-284]