Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Body Weight,Image and Self-Esteem Evaluation questionnaire in patients with severe mental disorders

Objective

Clinicians need brief and valid instruments to monitor the psychosocial impact of weight gain in persons with psychiatric disorders. We examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Body Weight, Image and Self-Esteem Evaluation (B-WISE) questionnaire in patients with severe mental disorders.

Method

The data come from a naturalistic, cross-sectional, validation study conducted at 6 centres in Spain. A total of 211 outpatients with severe mental disorders, 118 with schizophrenia and 93 with bipolar disorder, were evaluated using the B-WISE, the Visual Analogue Scale for Weight and Body Image, and the Clinical Global Impression–Severity (CGI-S). The body mass index was also obtained.

Results

The principal component analysis confirms 3 components explaining 50.93% of the variance. The Cronbach α values for B-WISE scales ranged between .55 and .73. Significant Pearson correlations were found between B-WISE total score and CGI-S (r = − 0.25; P < .001) and Visual Analogue Scale for Weight and Body Image (r = 0.47; P < .001). The B-WISE discriminates among patients with mild, moderate, and severe mental disorders according to CGI-S scores (F = 6.52; P < .005). Body mass index categorization significantly influenced total B-WISE scores (F = 3.586, P < .050). The B-WISE score corresponding to the 5th and 10th percentiles was 22.

Conclusions

We were able to demonstrate that the Spanish version of the B-WISE is a valid instrument for assessing psychosocial impact of weight gain in patients with severe mental disorders in daily clinical practice.     

Body weight, image and self-esteem evaluation questionnaire: development and validation of a new scale

This report describes the development of a new questionnaire designed to capture and quantify the psychosocial impact of weight gain associated with psychotropic drug use, and presents results of a preliminary validation study. Based on a review of literature, consultations with experts, interviews with individual patients and focus groups, themes relevant to weight gain and its psychosocial consequences were identified. A 12-item self-report questionnaire was designed and administered to a heterogeneous group of psychiatric outpatients (n = 141) receiving antipsychotic and other adjunctive medications. The scale could be self-administered in 2-3 min with minimal assistance. Correlational analysis showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.79) and fair split half reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficient of 0.76). The total scores were able to distinguish groups of people with higher and lower body mass index (BMI) (chi(2) = 16.4, p < 0.001), suggestive of good discriminant validity. Repeated administration of the scale in 56 subjects on 2 occasions with a gap of 1 week in between revealed a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.81 (p < 0.001). These preliminary findings indicate that body weight, image and self-esteem evaluation questionnaire (B-WISE) is a potentially useful instrument for clinical trials to measure the psychosocial consequences of weight changes associated with psychotropic drug use, and also in monitoring the impact of various intervention programs aimed at minimizing or preventing weight gain.     

Binge eating, weight gain and psychosocial adjustment in patients with bipolar disorder

Binge Eating (BE) is a common eating pattern in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD). BE may confer an increased risk for obesity, morbidity, mortality and poorer quality of life. We assessed the presence of BE and its impact on body weight, body image and self-esteem in 50 patients with BD and 50 age- and gender-matched controls. The presence and severity of BE was assessed with the Binge Eating Scale (BES). The Body Image and Self-Esteem Evaluation Scale (B-WISE) was used to assess the psychosocial impact of weight gain. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Nine (18%) patients had a score > 27, indicating a likely diagnosis of BE. None of the control subjects had a BES score > 17. No association between BES score and the medications was found. Patients had a significantly higher BES score, significantly higher BMI, waist circumference and fasting blood glucose. Although the B-Wise score was higher in the controls, the difference was not statistically significant. This study suggests that BE is prevalent in patients with BD. The presence of BE eating is a predictor of higher BMI, indicating that the disruption of eating behavior may be a pathway to weight gain.     

Latent Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with decreased serum triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in male patients with schizophrenia

BackgroundPrevious studies suggested a complex association between Toxoplasma gondii (TG) infection and host lipid metabolism. Both TG infection and metabolic disturbances are very common in patients with schizophrenia, but this relationship is not clear.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the association between TG seropositivity, serum lipid levels, body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in 210 male inpatients with schizophrenia.ResultsIn our sample of schizophrenia patients, with the mean age of 43.90 ± 12.70 years, the rate of TG seropositivity was 52.38% and the prevalence of MetS was 17%. Patients with the TG antibodies had lower serum triglyceride levels and body weight compared to TG seronegative patients, despite having more frequently received antipsychotics (clozapine, olanzapine risperidone and quetiapine), which are well known to induce weight gain and metabolic abnormalities. However, the only significant change in metabolic parameters, observed in TG seropositive patients with schizophrenia, was decreased serum triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio. No associations were observed between TG seropositivity and serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucose levels, waist circumference, BMI and the rate of MetS.ConclusionThis is the first report of the association between TG infection and decreased serum triglyceride to HDL-C ratio in a sample of carefully selected men with chronic schizophrenia.     

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotic medication

The presence of the metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There are limited data on the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in European patients suffering from schizophrenia. METHODS: All consecutive patients with schizophrenia at our university psychiatric hospital and affiliate services were entered in an extensive prospective metabolic study including an oral glucose tolerance test. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was assessed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria (NCEP, Adult Treatment Protocol, ATP-III), adapted ATP-III criteria using a fasting glucose threshold of 100 mg/dl (AHA) and on the recently proposed criteria from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). RESULTS: The analysis of 430 patients showed a prevalence of the metabolic syndrome of 28.4% (ATP-III), 32.3% (ATP-III A) and 36% (IDF), respectively. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in our sample of patients with schizophrenia is at least twice as high compared to an age-adjusted community sample in Belgium. CONCLUSION: The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among treated patients with schizophrenia. It represents an important risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Assessment of the presence and monitoring of the associated risks of the metabolic syndrome should be part of the clinical management of patients treated with antipsychotics.     

换用阿立哌唑对精神分裂症患者代谢的影响

目的:探讨换用阿立哌唑治疗后精神分裂症患者各项代谢指标的改善情况。方法:选择43例换用阿立哌唑治疗的精神分裂症患者,分别在换药前和换药12周对患者的血糖、血脂和体质量等代谢指标进行检测。结果:换用阿立哌唑12周,患者的体质量(t=3.38,P<0.01)和体质量指数(t=3.07,P<0.01)显著改善,空腹血糖(t=2.96,P<0.01)、2h血糖(t=2.58,P<0.01)、糖化血红蛋白(t=3.50,P<0.01)、空腹胰岛素(t=19.71,P<0.01)、和稳态模型评估的胰岛素抵抗系数(t=2.70,P<0.05)均较治疗前显著降低,总胆固醇(t=2.78,P<0.01)、三酰甘油(t=4.38,P<0.01)和低密度脂蛋白(t=2.81,P<0.01)亦有显著降低,代谢综合征的患病率(χ2=19.07,P<0.01)显著降低。结论:换用阿立哌唑治疗对精神分裂症患者的代谢有显著改善作用。     

Metabolic disturbances associated with antipsychotic drug treatment in patients with schizophrenia: State-of-the-art and future perspectives

Metabolic disturbances and obesity are major cardiovascular risk factors in patients with schizophrenia, resulting in a higher mortality rate and shorter life expectancy compared with those in the general population. Although schizophrenia and metabolic disturbances may share certain genetic or pathobiological risks, antipsychotics, particularly those of second generation, may further increase the risk of weight gain and metabolic disturbances in patients with schizophrenia. This review included articles on weight gain and metabolic disturbances related to antipsychotics and their mechanisms, monitoring guidelines, and interventions. Nearly all antipsychotics are associated with weight gain, but the degree of the weight gain varies considerably. Although certain neurotransmitter receptor-binding affinities and hormones are correlated with weight gain and specific metabolic abnormalities, the precise mechanisms underlying antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic disturbances remain unclear. Emerging evidence indicates the role of genetic polymorphisms associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain and antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances. Although many guidelines for screening and monitoring antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances have been developed, they are not routinely implemented in clinical care. Numerous studies have also investigated strategies for managing antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances. Thus, patients and their caregivers must be educated and motivated to pursue a healthier life through smoking cessation and dietary and physical activity programs. If lifestyle intervention fails, switching to another antipsychotic drug with a lower metabolic risk or adding adjunctive medication to mitigate weight gain should be considered. Antipsychotic medications are essential for schizophrenia treatment, hence clinicians should monitor and manage the resulting weight gain and metabolic disturbances.     

Oral glucose tolerance tests in treated patients with schizophrenia.: Data to support an adaptation of the proposed guidelines for monitoring of patients on second generation antipsychotics?

OBJECTIVE: A recent consensus conference has proposed guidelines for the monitoring for diabetes in patients with schizophrenia and also identifies the need of long-term prospective studies. METHOD: A large scale prospective study on metabolic risks of antipsychotic medication is currently ongoing. At baseline, patients get a full laboratory screening, ECG and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Baseline data on 100 non-diabetic patients at study inclusion and stable on medication for at least 6 months are presented. RESULTS: Glucose abnormalities are found in 22% of patients at baseline. A monitoring protocol based only on fasting glucose would not have detected 63.6% of these patients with classifiable glucose abnormalities in our sample. Fasting insulin and measures for insulin resistance have a high predictive value for abnormalities late in the OGTT. CONCLUSION: Already at baseline, metabolic problems are frequently present in patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics. Adding assessment of fasting insulin in a monitoring protocol improves detection of glucose abnormalities late in an OGTT.     

Prevalence of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in a sample of patients with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVES: The presence of metabolic abnormalities is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There are limited data on the prevalence of the metabolic abnormalities in disorders other than schizophrenia in which antipsychotic medication is part of routine treatment. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with bipolar disorder (BD) at our university psychiatric hospital and affiliate services were entered in an extensive prospective metabolic study including an oral glucose tolerance test. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was assessed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Protocol (ATP-III) criteria, the adapted ATP-III criteria using a fasting glucose threshold of 100 mg/dL, and the recently proposed criteria from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). RESULTS: The analysis of 60 patients showed a prevalence of the metabolic syndrome of 16.7% (ATP-III), 18.3% (adapted ATP-III) and 30.0% (IDF), respectively. A total of 6.7% of the patients met criteria for diabetes and 23.3% for pre-diabetic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome and glucose abnormalities are highly prevalent among patients with BD. They represent an important risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Assessment of the presence and monitoring of metabolic abnormalities and its associated risks should be part of the clinical management of patients with BD.     

Patterns of emotional experience in schizophrenia: differences in emotional response to visual stimuli are associated with clinical presentation and functional outcome

Second generation antipsychotics (SGA) are associated with new onset diabetes, dyslipidemia and significant weight gain. Patients with schizophrenia are also at an increase risk of developing metabolic disorders, making routine metabolic monitoring important in patients with schizophrenia. The objective of our study was to identify glucose and lipid monitoring rates in Kansas Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia who received long-term SGA therapy both before and after metabolic concerns of SGA had been introduced in the medical literature and after publication of metabolic monitoring guidelines from professional organizations in 2004. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using health care claims of Kansas Medicaid enrollees (age 18-64 years) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and receiving long-term SGA. Proportions of these patients receiving annual blood glucose and serum lipid laboratory tests were calculated for two periods: 2002-2003 and 2005-2007. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine associations between demographic characteristics and monitoring outcomes. Among 2204 persons in the 2002 cohort, 23% received annual blood glucose monitoring and 10.1% received lipid monitoring. Among 1646 persons in the 2006 cohort, 75.3% received blood glucose monitoring and 52.5% received lipid monitoring. Our findings showed significant increases in blood glucose and lipid monitoring rates observed across a 4-year period in Kansas Medicaid enrollees with schizophrenia receiving SGA. The large rise in monitoring over time may be due to increase awareness of metabolic concerns by mental health care specialists, whom patients with schizophrenia are likely to receive their care from.     

Conference report: Belgian consensus on metabolic problems associated with atypical antipsychotics

BACKGROUND: The current literature supports that schizophrenia (and bipolar disorders) appear to be associated with a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Because of the silent nature of diabetes mellitus, and the fact that schizophrenic patients are not screened comprehensively for the disease, the true prevalence of hyperglycemia and diabetes may be substantially underestimated. Notably, it has been suggested that schizophrenia as such carries an increased risk, as certain characteristics of schizophrenic patients such as unhealthy life style promote the diabetes risk. LITERATURE FINDINGS: This risk may be increased by antipsychotic drug treatment, as was already suggested for first-generation antipsychotics (FGA). The amount of literature on the association of SGA and metabolic disorders is much larger however, although well-controlled prospective data are sparse. Reports comprise abnormal glucose regulation, exacerbation of existing type 1 and 2 diabetes, new-onset pseudo-type 1 or type 2 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, coma and death. In large-scale studies (mostly retrospective), reviews and meta-analyses, the association was not found for all drugs. NEW DATA: According to recent reviews, the risk of developing diabetes was highest for clozapine and olanzapine, followed by quetiapine and risperidone. The hierarchy of liability of weight gain, or differential effects on insulin resistance was also in the described order. Apart from disturbances in glucose metabolism, further frequent metabolic abnormalities in schizophrenic patients on SGA include features of the metabolic syndrome. Antipsychotics such as clozapine and olanzapine have also been associated with hypertriglyceridemia, while agents such as haloperidol, risperidone and ziprasidone were associated with reductions in plasma triglycerides. Amisulpride, aripiprazole and ziprasidone seem to carry the lowest risk for weight gain, diabetes and effects on insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: As a consequence, there is a shift in attention toward physical health monitoring in patients with mental health disorders. The APA and ADA as well a British working group have recently published the findings on SGA and metabolic abnormalities in a joint statement (table I).     

Metabolic abnormalities in an early psychosis service: a retrospective, naturalistic cross-sectional study

Aim: There is an increasing recognition of the impact of weight gain on the development of metabolic abnormalities in young people receiving atypical antipsychotic drugs for first‐episode psychosis. This study examined the prevalence of such abnormalities in a specialist early‐intervention community mental health team. Methods: A retrospective case record audit of 85 patients 16–27 years old attending the Early Psychosis Service between October 2006 and June 2008, who had at least one metabolic measure defined as: weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose and lipids. Metabolic syndrome identified by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Results: Fifty‐five percent of males and 42% of females were overweight or obese at a median treatment duration of 8 months. Duration of antipsychotic therapy was associated with higher BMI (r = 0.28, P < 0.01). More than 40% of the total sample had high waist circumference. Of the 64 subjects with complete metabolic data, eight (12.5%) met full IDF criteria for metabolic syndrome, and another 21 (32.8%) had either increased waist with one metabolic abnormality or normal waist and two metabolic abnormalities. Conclusion: Over a third of young patients being treated for their first episode of psychosis either had metabolic syndrome or showed metabolic abnormalities. Treatment duration related to higher BMI and greater prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Detection of metabolic complications after treatment instigation in patients with first‐episode psychosis will permit early intervention with lifestyle or drug interventions in those at risk of significant physical health morbidity.     

A 4-fold risk of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia: the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is associated with a shortened life expectancy and increased somatic comorbidity with, e.g., cardiovascular disorders. One major risk factor for these disorders is the metabolic syndrome, which has been reported to have a higher frequency in schizophrenic patients. Our objective was to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a population-based birth cohort. METHOD: The study sample consisted of 5613 members of the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort who participated in the field study from 1997 to 1998. Subjects were divided into 4 diagnostic categories (DSM-III-R): (1) schizophrenia (N = 31), (2) other functional psychoses (N = 22), (3) nonpsychotic disorders (N = 105), and (4) no psychiatric hospital treatment (N = 5455, comparison group). Subjects were assessed for the presence of metabolic syndrome according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in subjects with schizophrenia compared with the comparison group (19% vs. 6%, p = .010). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in subjects with other psychoses was 5%. After controlling for sex, the results of logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia was 3.7 (95% CI = 1.5 to 9.0). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia even at such a relatively young age underscores the need to select antipsychotic medications with no or little capability to induce metabolic side effects. Also, developing comprehensive efforts directed at controlling weight and diet and improving physical activity are needed.     

Improvement in antipsychotic-related metabolic disturbances in patients with schizophrenia switched to ziprasidone

PURPOSE: This study evaluated changes in weight, glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with schizophrenia and antipsychotic-related metabolic disturbances who were switched to ziprasidone. METHODS: Eighty-four outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder also having glucose intolerance, diabetes, dyslipidemia or weight gain related to their antipsychotic treatment were switched to ziprasidone. Clinical status was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I) scales and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Assessment scales, weight, glucose and lipids were measured at baseline and at three and six months of ziprasidone treatment. RESULTS: Significant baseline to endpoint reductions were seen in mean weight (-5.1 kg), Body Mass Index (BMI; -1.6 kg/m(2)), serum glucose (-14.0 mg/dL), total cholesterol (-24.1 mg/dL), and triglyceride leves (-46.2 mg/dL). Mean PANSS total score improved 13.9% after 6 months of treatment with ziprasidone. A proportion (34.3%) of patients were classified as much improved in the CGI-I. CONCLUSIONS: Switching patients with schizophrenia to ziprasidone when metabolic disturbances are detected may improve these side effects and result in an improved overall outcome.     

Association of the ADRA1A gene and the severity of metabolic abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia

Patients with schizophrenia have a higher risk of developing metabolic abnormalities and their associated diseases. Some studies found that the accumulative number of metabolic syndrome components was associated with the severity of metabolic abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to examine the roles of the ADRA1A, ADRA2A, ADRB3, and 5HT2A genes in the risk of having more severe metabolic abnormalities among patients with schizophrenia. We studied a sample of 232 chronic inpatients with schizophrenia (120 males and 112 females) to explore the associations between the four candidate genes and the severity of metabolic syndrome by accumulative number of the components. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms in the candidate genes were genotyped, including the Arg347Cys in ADRA1A, the C1291G in ADRA2A, the Try64Arg in ADRB3, and the T102C in 5HT2A. An association between the accumulative number of metabolic syndrome components and the ADRA1A gene was found after adjusting age, sex, and other related variables (p-value = 0.036). Presence of the Arg347 allele in the ADRA1A gene is a risk factor for having more severe metabolic abnormalities. These findings suggest a medical attention of closely monitoring metabolic risks for schizophrenia patients with high-risk genotypes.     

HTR2C polymorphisms,olanzapine-induced weight gain and antipsychotic-induced metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients: A meta-analysis

Objective. To conduct meta-analyses of all published association studies on the HTR2C -759C/T (rs3813829) polymorphism and olanzapine-induced weight gain in schizophrenia patients and on the HTR2C -759C/T, -697G/C (rs518147) and rs1414334:C> G polymorphisms and olanzapine/clozapine/risperidone-induced metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients. Methods. Eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed and Web of Science databases. Meta-analyses were performed using Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan, version 5.2) to calculate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. Our meta-analyses revealed both a significant positive association between the rs1414334 C allele and olanzapine/clozapine/risperidone-induced metabolic syndrome and a marginally significant positive association between the -697C allele and the induced metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients, but no significant association between the -759C/T polymorphism and the induced metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients. Our analysis further revealed a pronounced trend toward a significant negative association between the -759T allele and high olanzapine-induced weight gain and a trend toward a significant positive association between the -759C allele and high olanzapine-induced weight gain in Caucasian schizophrenia patients. Conclusions. Our results support that HTR2C polymorphisms play a role in antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbance. More association studies are needed to further elucidate association of different HTR2C polymorphisms and antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbance.     

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain--pharmacogenetic studies

Drug-naive patients with schizophrenia often present metabolic abnormalities and obesity. Weight gain may be the side effect of treatment with many antipsychotic drugs. Genetic effects, besides many other factors, are known to influence obesity in patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics. Numerous studies of several genes' polymorphisms have been performed. -759C/T polymorphism of 5HT2C gene attracted most attention. In 5 independent studies of this polymorphism the association between T allele with the lower AP-induced weight gain was detected. No associations could be detected between weight gain and other polymorphisms of serotonergic system genes as well as histaminergic system genes. Studies of adrenergic and dopaminergic system have neither produced any unambiguous results. Analysis of the newest candidate genes (SAP-25, leptin gene) confirmed the role of genetic factors in AP-induced weight gain. It is worth emphasising, that the studies have been conducted in relatively small and heterogenic groups and that various treatment strategies were used.     

Predictors of rapid high weight gain in schizophrenia: Longitudinal analysis of the French FACE-SZ cohort

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent in schizophrenia. However very little is known about the time course of MetS and its components. The few longitudinal studies that have been carried out had small sample sizes and a short follow-up. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and its components, at baseline and one year later, and to investigate predictors of weight gain (WG) in a cohort of individuals with schizophrenia. We followed 167 schizophrenia patients from the FACE-SZ cohort for one year. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) was used to confirm the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, antipsychotic treatment, and comorbidities were collected, and a blood sample was drawn.We found that the prevalence of MetS increased from 21.0% to 26.6% after one year. Patients with baseline depressive symptoms had a 4.5-fold higher risk of WG at the one-year follow-up (p = 0.02) than those without depressive symptoms, after adjusting for confounding variables. WG also correlated with high levels of metabolic parameters and peripheral inflammation. These findings highlight the need to systematically diagnose depression in Schizophrenia. Future studies should determine whether specific pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for depression in SZ subjects are effective in preventing rapid high weight gain.     

A prospective study of glucose homeostasis in quetiapine-treated schizophrenic patients by using the intravenous glucose tolerance test

Increasing attention has been paid recently to the potential diabetogenic effect of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of quetiapine treatment on pancreatic beta-cell function in SGA-naïve schizophrenic patients. Seventeen schizophrenic subjects completed an eight-week trial. The metabolic parameters were assessed at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8. We measured glucose homeostasis with the intravenous glucose tolerance test. After the eight-week treatment, body weight and body mass index showed to be significantly increased compared to those at baseline. No significant changes were found in serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein. Insulin resistance and insulin secretion were significantly increased. Incidences of clinically significant weight gain and treatment-emergent metabolic syndrome were 11.8% and 11.8%, respectively. This study result confirms the association of quetiapine treatment and impairment of glucose homeostasis in schizophrenic patients.     

The effect of paliperidone extended release on subjective well-being and responses in patients with schizophrenia

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the subjective well-being and attitudes toward antipsychotic medication of patients with schizophrenia who had switched to paliperidone extended release (ER).

Methods

A total of 291 patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics participated in this open-label, 24-week switching study. The primary outcome measures were the Subjective Well-Being under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale-short version (SWN-K) and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI). The Krawiecka scale, Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia (CGI-SCH), Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP) were used to evaluate psychopathology and psychosocial functioning, respectively.

Results

Data from a total of 243 subjects who received the study medication and had at least one follow-up assessment without a major protocol violation were analyzed. Scores on the DAI and SWN-K showed significant improvement between baseline and end-point measurements beginning during the second week. Scores on the Krawiecka scale, all five subscales of the CGI-SCH scale, and the PSP scale were also significantly improved at the end point compared with the baseline. Significant predictors of improvements in the SWN-K and DAI after a switch to paliperidone ER were baseline scores, reductions in scores on the Krawiecka scale, and previous risperidone use. A clinically relevant increase in body weight (≥ 7% weight gain) occurred in one-fourth of the participants who completed the 24-week study.

Conclusion

Switching to paliperidone ER improved the subjective well-being and attitudes towards antipsychotic medication in patients with schizophrenia. Exploratory analyses revealed that these improvements were particularly pronounced in patients who had been treated with risperidone before treatment with paliperidone ER.