Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a set of metabolic abnormalities that occur relatively frequent in patients with schizophrenia. Some scientists define MS as a mild chronic inflammatory state, while for the elevated concentrations of fibrinogen are considered to be significantly associated with MS.

To determine the prevalence of MS and fibrinogen concentrations in patients with schizophrenia.

The study group consisted of schizophrenic patients from the University Clinical Hospital Mostar (n=100). The control group consisted of healthy subjects who came to the systematic medical examinations in the Health Center Mostar (n=100). Diagnosis of MS was made according to ATP III criteria, and on that basis the subjects from both groups were divided into two subgroups, one with and one without MS. The study was cross-sectional.

Statistically MS was significantly more frequent in schizophrenic subjects (46,0%) compared to the control group (29,0%) (p=0,013). Schizophrenic subjects had significantly higher fibrinogen concentrations compared to the control group (p< 0,001). Schizophrenic subjects with MS had significantly higher fibrinogen concentrations compared to the group of schizophrenic subjects without MS (p=0,020), as well as compared to control group without MS (p< 0,001). There were no statistically significant differences in the fibrinogen concentrations between two control subgroups (p=0,054).

MS is more frequent in schizophrenic subjects compared to the control subjects. Schizophrenic subjects have significantly higher fibrinogen concentrations compared to the control group.