Metabolic syndrome and its association with psychotropic medications in psychiatric patients from CAISM–IGSS (Center for Comprehensive Care Mental Health/Guatemalan Institute of Social Security)

Abstract

Introduction

The use of antipsychotics represents an integral part of the psychiatric practice, unfortunately the use seems to be associated with an elevated frequency of metabolic alterations causing an important weight disorder and glucose and lipid homeostasis, diminishing life expectations for these patients, likely to develop metabolic syndrome without proper control.

Objectives

This study intended to find the association between metabolic syndrome in patients with psychotropic treatments used in the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS).

Methodology

Cohort Study (n = 43 patients) who were treated combined with antipsychotics and mood stabilizers or antidepressants, conducting checkups at the beginning, then two to four months after, evaluating diagnosis of metabolic syndrome according to the criteria stated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Results

Risk factor with the use of clozapine and valproic acid was revealed after four months of exposure (RR = 2.32). With the use of clozapine and mood stabilizers a risk factor was prevalent with exposure after four months (RR = 2.67), and with the use of antidepressants a protective factor for the development of metabolic syndrome was revealed at four months of exposure (RR = 0.3741).

Conclusions

the use of antipsychotics in combination with mood stabilizers represents a risk factor for developing metabolic syndrome, especially the association with valproic acid.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.