Risk factors and pattern of weight gain in youths using antipsychotic drugs

AbstractAntipsychotic-induced weight gain is a major health concern in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for weight gain during short-, middle- and long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs in this young population. We analysed a combined prospective and a retrospective observational cohort of Dutch children and adolescents, starting with risperidone, aripiprazole or pipamperone treatment. Linear mixed models were used to test whether sex, age, baseline body-mass-index (BMI)zscore, type of antipsychotic, dose equivalent/kg, duration of use, previous antipsychotic use, ethnicity, physical exercise, IQ, concomitant medication, and psychiatric classification predicted the BMIzscore for a follow-up of  <  15 weeks, 15–52 weeks or >  52 weeks. A total of 144 patients were included with a median [interquartile range ([IQR)] age of 9 (4) years and median follow-up of 30 (73) weeks. During the complete follow-up, the median (IQR) weight gain was 0.37 (0.95) BMIzscore points. Antipsychotic-induced weight gain was found to be most pronounced during the first 15  weeks of use (BMIzscore increase per weekβ = 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.03,p = 0.002). A higher baseline BMIzscore and the absence of stimulant use were associated with a higher BMIzscore during the entire follow-up and after 15  weeks, respectively. Previous treatment with an antipsychotic drug was associated with less weight gain during the first 15 weeks...
Source: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research