Prevalence, Mortality, and Risk Factors of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening condition, especially for patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). Given their increased vulnerability to cardiovascular events, this study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the available literature on the prevalence, mortality, and risk factors of acute myocardial infarction in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: The study followed the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was conducted across international databases to identify relevant studies. Study selection and data extraction adhered to PRISMA standards. Results were reported using Garrard’s approach, and the meta-analysis was performed with CMA software. Results: Ten studies were included in the quantitative analysis, and thirteen in the qualitative review. The prevalence of AMI in SCZ patients was 0.9%, with a mortality rate of 14.9%. Risk factors included low socioeconomic status, rural living, male gender, age under 65, and antipsychotic medication use. Smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and the nature of schizophrenia along with its symptoms contributed to higher AMI incidence and mortality in SCZ patients. Conclusion: SCZ patients face a significantly higher risk of mortality from AMI compared to the general population. The primary contributors to this increased risk are lifestyle factors. Targeted treatment and lifestyle intervention programs could reduce the burden of AMI in this vulnerable group.