Lipid disturbances induced by psychotropic drugs: clinical and genetic predictors for early worsening of lipid levels and new-onset dyslipidaemia in Swiss psychiatric samples
2024

Predicting Lipid Changes in Psychiatric Patients on Medication

Sample size: 439 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Delacrétaz Aurélie, Sadler Marie, Gamma Franziska, Preisig Martin, Richard-Lepouriel Hélène, von Gunten Armin, Conus Philippe, Plessen Kerstin Jessica, Kutalik Zoltan, Eap Chin B.

Primary Institution: Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland

Hypothesis

Can clinical and genetic factors predict early worsening of lipid levels in patients starting psychotropic treatments?

Conclusion

Clinical and genetic factors can help predict early worsening of lipid levels and new-onset dyslipidaemia in psychiatric patients starting at-risk psychotropic treatments.

Supporting Evidence

  • 44% of patients experienced early increases in total cholesterol levels.
  • Adding genetic data improved predictive models significantly.
  • Low baseline lipid levels were risk factors for early worsening.

Takeaway

This study found that doctors can use both health information and genetic tests to better predict if patients will have problems with their cholesterol when they start certain medications.

Methodology

The study evaluated clinical characteristics and genetic factors in three samples of psychiatric patients to predict early worsening of lipid levels.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the exclusion of non-adherent patients and the focus on a specific ethnic group.

Limitations

The study included only White patients, most participants were not drug-naïve, and lifestyle factors were not accounted for.

Participant Demographics

Median age was 41 years, with a majority diagnosed with psychotic disorders.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p ≤ 0.00003

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1192/bjo.2024.757

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