Introduction

Patients with serious psychiatric disorders have an increased morbidity and mortality in somatic diseases and elevated prevalence of both diabetes and prediabetes. This increased frequency of somatic diseases is believed to be associated with life style choices and side effects of the antipsychotic medication.

Aim

In our study we investigated the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes and compared metabolic risk factors and treatments between patients with and without serious psychiatric disorders in patients with diabetes in Region Örebro County (RÖC).

Material and methods

The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes was determined in 944 patients identified from psychiatric outpatient clinics in RÖC. Information about risk factors and treatments were acquired by retrospective examination of medical records.

Results

Diabetes was identified in 113 patients and prediabetes in 42 patients. In patients with diabetes and serious psychiatric disorders men had significantly higher levels of HbA1c (p<0.01) and creatinine (p<0.01) compared to women, whereas women had higher BMI (p<0.05). No significant differences in HbA1c and BMI were found between patients with psychiatric disorders and all patients in RÖC with diabetes. Patients with psychiatric disorders did however have a significantly higher number of current smokers and a lower prescription of antihypertensive medication.

Conclusions

The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes were 12.0% and 4.4%, respectively, in patients with serious psychiatric disorders. Our study indicates no difference in glycaemic control between psychiatric and non-psychiatric patients with diabetes, but there are differences in certain risk factors connected to diabetes.