To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Presence of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Patients on Antipsychotics Does Not Lead to Sufficient Risk Management by Treating Psychiatrists: Presented at ECNP URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22A95E.htm Doctor's Guide September 3, 2008
By Judith Moser, MD BARCELONA, Spain -- September 3, 2008 -- Psychiatrists are not taking enough decisive action to manage the highly prevalent cardiometabolic risk factors of their patients who are taking antipsychotic therapies, according to a study presented here at the 21st European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress (ECNP). Metabolic syndrome represents a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors -- abdominal obesity; dyslipidaemia; hypertension; insulin resistance or glucose intolerance; prothrombotic state; proinflammatory state. It is highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia, and presumably accounts for the increased cardiovascular mortality in this population. The aim of the current study was to assess the follow-up actions taken by psychiatrists in the management of patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder, who were treated with antipsychotics and displayed cardiometabolic risk factors and/or metabolic syndrome. Researchers recruited 687 patients with a median age of 39.8 years who were receiving treatment with atypical antipsychotics for at least 3 months as in- and outpatients of psychiatric treatment centres in Denmark and Sweden. Laboratory measurements and measurements of body weight were performed at the baseline visit. Treating psychiatrists reviewed the laboratory results at the follow-up visit after an average of 4 weeks (range, 3-5 weeks). After reviewing the laboratory test results, the treating psychiatrists could choose the most appropriate interventions for their individual patient. "Metabolic disturbances were very prevalent in the patient population," reported principal investigator John Larsen, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark, in a poster presentation on September 2. The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome at baseline was 43%, and obesity was present in 39% of cases; 68% of patients had insulin resistance, and 79% had dyslipidaemia. In the majority of these cases (75%), psychiatrists provided patients with information and counselling on diet and/or exercise. Fifty-four percent of patients received a follow-up of laboratory measurements and 19% had a blood pressure measurement follow-up. Twenty-four percent were referred to their general practitioner, 7% to a dietician, and 4% to a specialist. In 10% of cases, the treating psychiatrists chose to change the antipsychotic medication, and in 2% they changed the concomitant medication. No action was taken in 11% of the patients with cardiovascular risk factors. According to the researchers, the high rates of metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic factors did not elicit much decisive action on the part of the treating psychiatrists. "The clinicians are not very aware of this problem," Dr. Larsen said. The results indicate the urgent need for education of psychiatrists regarding systemic application of clinical management guidelines in targeting cardiovascular risk factors. An implementation of programs leading to achievable reductions of risk factors in patients with serious mental illness is necessary. Funding for this study was provided by Pfizer. [Presentation title: Interventions in Antipsychotic-Treated Patients With Confirmed Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Metabolic Syndrome. Abstract P3c064] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.