Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Factors among Psychiatric Patients Receiving Antipsycho

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus cases are athigher risk for diabetic related complications. In low-incomeAfrican countries, patients with undiagnosed diabetes mellitusaccount for 75% of diabetes cases. Psychiatric disorders have agreater impact on the global burden of diseases and disabilityassociated with chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus andcardiovascular diseases.METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study was conductedat the University of Gondar Hospital from February to April 2016.A total of 205 psychiatric patients aged above 15 years that weretaking antipsychotic were included by the simple random samplingmethod. Fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levelwere determined from venous blood samples to evaluate diabetesmellitus based on WHO criteria.RESULTS: Among 205 psychiatric patients taking antipsychotics,15(7.3%) had undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Duration ofantipsychotic treatment and sex had a statistically significantassociation with the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus.As the duration of antipsychotic drug treatment increased by oneyear, the risk of having a diabetes mellitus increase by 1.47 times(AOR: 1.47 CI: 1.021-2.125).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitusamong psychiatry patients taking antipsychotics was higher thanthe estimated diabetes national prevalence of Ethiopia. Screeningof diabetes mellitus in particular, patients having a longerduration of antipsychotic treatment is mandatory to bring moreundiagnosed cases for medical attention.