METABOLIC SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH PSYCHOSIS USING SECOND-GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS

Abstract

Background: Persons with Schizophrenia are more likely to die from cardiovascular illness and are at a greater risk of developing obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and dyslipidemias. Though the SGA were quite effective, their safety advantages have been questioned because of their propensity to induce weight gain and alter glucose,lipid metabolism. Objectives: 1.To study the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) due to selected SGA 2.To compare any differences in the metabolic profile of patients on various antipsychotics. Methodology: A Study was done for about a year among 120 Drug Naive patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia or acute psychosis as per ICD 10 criteria,attending psychiatry OPD and were selected by systematic sampling method into four groups.With the Group (A) receiving Olanzapine, group (B) Risperidone, group (C) Quetiapine, group (D) Aripiprazole.Each group consisting of 30 patients.After 12 weeks of medication,Patients were screened for the MS using NCEP- ATP III criteria.Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS software,ANOVA was used to assess the significance of the difference of mean values of different parameters in between groups. Results: In the study concerning age group, majority of patients belong to 20-30(41.67%) yrs.There were no significant gender differences with 54.17% males and 45.80% females. Among 120 patients, 13(10.83%) patients developed MS after three months of continuous antipsychotic drug therapy. Among those who received Olanzapine and Risperidone, five patients from each group developed MS, and three patients who received Quetiapine fulfilled the criteria of MS.No patient on Aripiprazole developed MS. Conclusion: The psychiatrist needs to be aware of the potential metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medication and to include them in the risk/benefit assessment when choosing a specific antipsychotic. Multidisciplinary assessment of psychiatric and medical conditions is needed.