Treatment settings and metabolic monitoring for people experiencing first-episode psychosis

Monitoring for metabolic sequelae of antipsychotic medications is inconsistent in clinical settings. In this study, frequency of such monitoring in 40 individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis was analyzed according to the setting in which they received treatment (i.e., inpatient unit, outpatient clinic, or metabolic screening clinic). The traditional outpatient clinic was the least likely of the three settings to monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference. In any setting, blood lipids were measured in only 2 of the 40 patients. Reasons for these findings and recommendations for reducing barriers to screening are presented.