Metabolic syndrome in Japanese patients with mental retardation

Abstract

To conduct a study on metabolic syndrome (MetS) observed in patients with mental retardation (MR) to 
clarify the factors associated with its prevalence and incidence. During the period from October 2006 to 
March 2007, for 302 cases of patients with MR who were admitted to or visited 2 support facilities for 
people with intellectual disabilities in Japan, we reviewed the patients’ admission records and nursing 
records regarding their clinical data and profiles. The prevalence of MetS in Japanese patients with MR 
was 29 cases among 203 males (14.3%) and 12 cases among 99 females (12.1%). There was a 
significant association between the distribution of the severity of MR and MetS, and regarding 
treatment drugs, there was a significantly large number of patients who were taking antidepressants or 
atypical antipsychotics in the MetS group. MetS is prevalent in patients with MR. A significant 
correlation was observed between MetS and the severity of MR and treatment drugs, and this seems to 
be an important factor when considering MetS in patients with MR.