Bipolar disorder and metabolic syndrome: comorbidity or side effects of treatment of bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that people with mental disorders are more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome. In the last decades there has been an increase in interest for researching metabolic syndrome in psychiatric patients and plenty of evidence about their association. However, investigations on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder are still surprisingly rare. The aim of this paper is to analyze comorbidity of bipolar disorder and metabolic syndrome, and the association of treatment with antipsychotics and mood stabilizers with metabolic syndrome, as well as to point out the necessity of appropriate preventive measures and treatment of metabolic syndrome in patient with bipolar disorder. CONTENT ANALYSIS OF LITERATURE: Literature research included structured searches of Medline and other publications on the subject of comorbidity of bipolar disorder and metabolic syndrome, and the association of treatment with antipsychotics and mood stabilizers with metabolic syndrome, as well as preventive measures and treatment of metabolic syndrome in patient with bipolar disorder.
CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome is present in 8-56% of patients suffering from bipolar disorder. Metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder can significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality, and it is certainly necessary to think of it, to take adequate preventive and therapeutic measures in treating its individual components. Further investigation on association between bipolar disorder and metabolic disorder, and the association of treatment with antipsychotics and mood stabilizers with metabolic syndrome are necessary.