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Pharmaceutical industry

Schizophrenia Patients at Risk of Metabolic Dysregulation with Antipsychotic Treatments

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to a study from Basingstoke, the United Kingdom, schizophrenia patients have a potential increased risk of metabolic dysregulation during antipsychotic treatments. The study compared changes in prolactin and metabolic variables (glucose, lipids, and weight) in patients treated with olanzapine or quetiapine. The researchers found that patients treated with olanzapine had a higher incidence of clinically significant weight gain compared to those treated with quetiapine.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found no statistically significant treatment group differences for baseline to endpoint mean changes in body mass index (p=0.209) or weight (p=0.250).
  • A greater incidence of clinically significant weight gain was observed in patients treated with olanzapine (19.2%) compared to those treated with quetiapine (13.2%).
  • No statistically significant treatment group differences were found for lipids and glucose variables, either as mean change from baseline to endpoint or treatment-emergent categorical changes (p or=0.05).
  • Incidence rates for treatment-emergent diabetes were similar between treatment groups (2.5% in the olanzapine group and 1.3% in the quetiapine group).
  • Hyperprolactinaemia was present at baseline in many patients (32.9% in the olanzapine group and 31.4% in the quetiapine group), but after 2 weeks of treatment, prolactin values had reverted to normal for nearly all patients (100% in the olanzapine group and 99.4% in the quetiapine group).
  • The researchers concluded that there were no significant treatment differences in any variable between cohorts.
  • The study suggests that schizophrenia patients treated with certain antipsychotic medications may be at risk of metabolic dysregulation.

Statistics:

  • 171 patients were treated with olanzapine (10-20 mg/day).
  • 175 patients were treated with quetiapine (300-700 mg/day).
  • 19.2% of patients in the olanzapine group experienced clinically significant weight gain (defined as a=7% increase from baseline).
  • 13.2% of patients in the quetiapine group experienced clinically significant weight gain.
  • 2.5% of patients in the olanzapine group developed treatment-emergent diabetes.
  • 1.3% of patients in the quetiapine group developed treatment-emergent diabetes.

Sources:

  • C. Bushe et al., "Comparison of metabolic and prolactin variables from a six-month randomised trial of olanzapine and quetiapine in schizophrenia," Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2010;24(7):1001-9.
  • Eli Lilly and Company, Basingstoke, UK.
  • SAGE Publications, USA, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.

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