Managing Weight Gain from Antipsychotics: Patient Insights
Author Information
Author(s): Fitzgerald Ita, Crowley Erin K., Ní Dhubhlaing Ciara, O'Dwyer Sarah, Sahm Laura J.
Primary Institution: Pharmacy Department, St Patrick's Mental Health Services, Dublin, Ireland; and Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Hypothesis
How do individuals conceptualise preferred AIWG management and how can this be realised in practice?
Conclusion
Integrating patient experiences into guideline development will ensure that recommendations for managing antipsychotic-induced weight gain are relevant and applicable.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants reported that clinicians overestimated AIWG manageability using dietary and lifestyle changes.
- Many participants described being unaware of the option of changing antipsychotic or the use of pharmacological adjuncts to manage AIWG.
- Participants expressed a preference for collaborative AIWG management and guidance that prioritises early intervention.
Takeaway
This study asked patients how they prefer to manage weight gain from antipsychotic medications and found they want more personalized and collaborative care.
Methodology
Qualitative descriptive methodology with semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to familiarity between some participants and the researcher conducting interviews.
Limitations
Less male representation and lack of cultural diversity among participants may limit the transferability of results.
Participant Demographics
{"gender_distribution":{"female":76,"male":24},"age_mean":51.5,"age_range":"26-66","employment_status":{"employed":65,"unemployed_or_state_support":35},"living_arrangements":{"with_family":76,"with_family_of_origin":18,"alone":6},"primary_diagnosis":{"schizophrenia":24,"bipolar_affective_disorder":35,"major_depression":41},"duration_of_mental_illness":{"less_than_1_year":6,"1_to_5_years":29,"5_to_10_years":6,"more_than_10_years":59}}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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