Archive 1992–2014

Objectives. The authors present an overview of the literature and summarize crucial findings concerning clinical consequences of dis-orders included in the metabolic syndrome, i.e. central obesity, lipid disorders, diabetes and hypertension.
Views. The metabolic syndrome is not only a side effect of antipsychotic treatment that requires additional therapy, but also a set of significant risk factors involving many health-detrimental and life-threatening complications. The presence of these complications is associated with health impairment and quality of life deterioration in persons receiving psychiatric pharmacotherapy. Moreover, the necessary treatment of these complications results in additional expenses.
Conclusions. Psychiatrists knowledgeable about consequences of the metabolic syndrome should be able to prevent more effectively its many dangerous complications. This should lead to an improvement of the patients' quality of life, their better compliance and adherence.