AUTHOR=Cao Haiyan , Zhou Yongjie , Li Tao , Yao Cong , Yang Weiliang , Kong Siying , Wang Yanyan , Yu Baoping , Jiao Qingyan , Sun Yun , Jia Xiaoju , Wang Yuting , Wang Zhonggang , Zhang Xiangyang , Li Jie 

TITLE=The Prevalence, Risk Factors and Clinical Correlates of QTc Prolongation in Chinese Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.704045

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.704045

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> The QTc interval may be significantly prolonged in schizophrenia patients taking antipsychotics. Few studies have addressed QTc prolongation (QTP) in Chinese patients.</p><p><bold>Objectives:</bold> This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of QTP and its clinical correlates in Chinese hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> A total of 436 inpatients and 291 normal controls matched with age and sex were included. QTc prolongation was defined as 2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean value of normal controls. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and its five-factor model were used to evaluate psychopathological symptoms.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> QTc interval was significantly longer in patients than in normal controls. The prevalence of QTP is 8.26% in Chinese hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia. More women than men displayed QTP. Compared with patients without QTP, the patients with QTP had significantly higher concrete/disorganized subscore, lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) and lower total protein (TP). Furthermore, binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher number of hospitalizations, higher concrete/disorganized subscore and lower LDL were risk factors for QTP. Correlation analysis indicated significant association between QTc interval and the following variables: sex, age, duration of illness, the number of hospitalizations, PANSS total score, fasting blood glucose (FPG). Finally, a multiple regression analysis showed that older age, antipsychotic polypharmacy, higher PANSS total score, and lower LDL were risk factors for QTP. Among them, LDL seemed to be a protective factor for QTP.</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> QTc interval was longer in schizophrenia patients than in normal controls. The prevalence of QTP is 8.26% in Chinese hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia. Some clinical characteristics were risk factors for QTP. And LDL seemed to be a protective factor for QTP.</p>