Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Apr 29;25(1):433.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-025-06894-1.

Prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic treatment in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mulualem Kelebie  1 , Getasew Kibralew  2 , Gebresilassie Tadesse  2 , Girum Nakie  2 , Dawed Ali  2 , Biruk Fanta  2 , Mulu Muche  3 , Setegn Fentahun  2 , Gidey Rtbey  2 , Girmaw Medfu Takelle  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic treatment in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mulualem Kelebie et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Antipsychotic medications, though essential for treating severe mental illnesses, are commonly associated with metabolic side effects that increase the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). These metabolic complications significantly undermine treatment adherence and contribute to adverse clinical outcomes. Despite the increasing utilization of antipsychotics in Africa, there remains a critical lack of region-specific data on the prevalence and determinants of metabolic syndrome in this population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize existing data on the prevalence and predictors of MetS among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic treatment in Africa.

Method: We looked for primary papers on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, African Journal Online, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Psychiatry Online, CINAHL, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library. We included original research articles that evaluated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic medication. Two independent reviewers examined the articles and extracted data. The I² statistic was employed to assess statistical heterogeneity, and a random-effects meta-analysis was applied due to the observed heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's weighted regression test. This review has been registered with PROSPERO (ID = CRD42024558310).

Results: This systematic review analyzed 25 primary studies encompassing a total of 4,064 participants. The pooled prevalence of metabolic syndrome among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic treatment in Africa was estimated at 22% (95% CI: 16.33-27.66). Female gender (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.73-6.23), advanced age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12), and elevated body mass index (OR = 5.33, 95% CI: 2.35-12.12) were identified as significant risk factors for metabolic syndrome in this population.

Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic treatment in Africa, with female sex, older age, and elevated body mass index identified as significant risk factors. These findings underscore the need for routine metabolic monitoring and timely interventions to mitigate cardiovascular risk, enhance treatment adherence, and prevent recurrence of psychiatric symptoms.

Keywords: Africa; Antipsychotics medication; Meta-analysis; Metabolic syndrome; Psychiatric patients.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow chart of study selection meta- analysis of metabolic syndrome among adult psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic medication in Africa
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pooled prevalence metabolic syndrome among adult psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic medication in Africa
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Funnel plot of metabolic syndrome among adult psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic medication in Africa
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Trim and fill funnel plot of metabolic syndrome among adult psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic medication in Africa
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Sensitivity analysis on metabolic syndrome among adult psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic medication in Africa
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Factors associated with metabolic syndrome among adult psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic medication in Africa
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Westaway K, et al. Prevalence of multiple antipsychotic use and associated adverse effects in Australians with mental illness. JBI Evid Implement. 2016;14(3):104–12. - PubMed
    1. Morgan VA et al. People living with psychotic illness 2010. Report on the second Australian national survey. 2011. - PubMed
    1. Emsley R, et al. Introduction: the South African society of psychiatrists (SASOP) treatment guidelines for psychiatric disorders. South Afr J Psychiatry. 2013;19(3):134–5.
    1. Excellence NIfC. Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management. NICE guidelines; 2014. - PubMed
    1. de Bartolomeis A, et al. Clozapine’s multiple cellular mechanisms: what do we know after more than fifty years? A systematic review and critical assessment of translational mechanisms relevant for innovative strategies in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Pharmacol Ther. 2022;236:108236. - PubMed

Substances

LinkOut - more resources