Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex of metabolic changes that includes abdominal obesity, elevation of blood pressure, impairment of glucose tolerance and lipid changes. The prevalence of MS is hegher in patients with schizophrenia than in general population.
Its presence may affedt the elevated mortality rate among the patients. The interest in the influence of pharmacological treatment on the incidence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia appeared after the second generation of antipsychotic drugs had been introduced.
The results of studies that investagated the association of the metabolic syndrome with pharmacological treatment o psychosis provide arguments for a necessity to monitor metabolic parameters in patients treated for schizophrenia. Psychoeducation and behavioral techniques focused on life style changes and eating habits are an important aspect in preventing the metabolic syndrome.