Weight Gain from Antipsychotics in Pakistani Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Ahmer Syed, Khan Rashid AM, Iqbal Saleem Perwaiz
Primary Institution: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Hypothesis
Is the use of antipsychotics associated with an increase in weight and body mass index (BMI) in the Pakistani population?
Conclusion
Pakistani patients are likely to gain weight during antipsychotic treatment, which may have serious health consequences due to the high prevalence of diabetes in this population.
Supporting Evidence
- 50% of patients had a BMI in the overweight or higher range at baseline.
- Patients showed a mean weight gain of 1.88 kg from baseline in 3 months and 3.29 kg in 6 months.
- 48% of patients showed clinically significant weight gain.
Takeaway
This study found that many patients taking antipsychotic medications in Pakistan gained weight, which can be bad for their health, especially since diabetes is common there.
Methodology
A case note review of patients prescribed antipsychotic medication at a psychiatry outpatient clinic over a 4-year period.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the retrospective nature of the study and lack of a control group.
Limitations
The study lacked a control group of patients not taking antipsychotics, and most patients had prior antipsychotic treatment.
Participant Demographics
{"age":"Median 31 years (IQR 24–43)","gender":{"male":79,"female":62},"marital_status":{"single":75,"married":52,"widowed":7,"divorced":3,"separated":1},"psychiatric_diagnosis":{"schizophrenia":85,"depression":21,"bipolar_disorder":16,"delusional_disorder":6,"learning_disability":5,"dementia":3,"substance_misuse":3,"OCD":2,"anorexia_nervosa":2,"ADHD":1,"personality_disorder":1}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003 for weight gain at 3 months, 0.004 for weight gain at 6 months
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website