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Published on: November 10, 2017
Increased dyslipidemia in schizophrenic outpatients using new generation antipsychotics
Carmen Lúcia Leitão-Azevedo1, Lísia Rejane Guimarães, Martha Guerra Belmonte de Abreu
1Psychiatry Graduation Program, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. nicao@terra.com.br
Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999)
|January 24, 2007
Summary
Second-generation antipsychotics are linked to dyslipidemia in schizophrenia patients. This highlights the need for proactive management of weight and lipid issues to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic disturbances in psychiatric pharmacotherapy
- Cardiovascular risk factors in schizophrenia management
Background:
- First and second-generation antipsychotics are known to cause metabolic disturbances.
- Schizophrenia patients are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and elevated glucose and lipid levels in outpatients with schizophrenia.
- To determine if SGAs are linked to higher metabolic disturbances irrespective of patient age and gender.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 124 adult outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- Collected data on four metabolic parameters (cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides) and anthropometric measures.
- Patients were on a stable antipsychotic regimen for at least 9 weeks.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of elevated body mass index (76.6%) and dyslipidemia (84.7%) was observed.
- Second-generation antipsychotics were significantly associated with dyslipidemia, independent of age and gender.
- Clozapine users showed lower HDL levels compared to first-generation antipsychotic users.
Conclusions:
- There is a statistically significant association between the use of second-generation antipsychotics and dyslipidemia.
- Schizophrenia patients treated with SGAs exhibit increased vulnerability to metabolic disturbances.
- Assertive management of overweight and dyslipidemia is crucial to mitigate risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this population.
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