Schizophrenia is associated with increased physical morbidity and mortality. In particular, cardio-metabolic diseases are more frequent. Several underlying reasons have been discussed, including adverse lifestyle behaviors, or adverse effects of neuroleptic treatment. However, little is known about changes of cardiac and intra-abdominal adipose tissue, both are risk factors for the development of cardio-metabolic diseases.

To compare, cardiac and intra-abdominal adipose tissue between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.

Ten physically healthy patients with schizophrenia according to DSM-V were included, and compared to healthy control subjects. Cardiac and intra-abdominal adipose tissue was quantified using magnetic resonance tomography. Further factors assessed comprise the metabolic syndrome, physical activity, smoking behavior, and scores for the assessment of cardio-metabolic diseases (FINDRISK score and modified ESC score).

Cardiac adipose tissue and intra-abdominal adipose tissue was increased in patients with schizophrenia. Further findings were higher diastolic blood pressure, more smoking, less physical activity, and an increase for diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk according to the modified ESC and FINDRISK score.

The new finding in our study is an increase of cardiac adipose tissue, a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disorders, in physically healthy patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, the risk for the development of type-2 diabetes mellitus is increased, indicated by higher amount of intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and the results of the FINDRISK score. We conclude that lifestyle alterations, particularly exercise training that has been shown to reduce cardiac and intra-abdominal adipose tissue, should be recommended in patients with schizophrenia.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.