THE METABOLIC SYNDROME IN OUTPATIENTS WITH PSYCHOSIS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN LONG ACTING INJECTABLE OLANZAPINE AND RISPERIDONE.

CONTEXT

Literature shows that patients taking antipsychotic medication risk developing metabolic complications.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to compare the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in outpatients treated with long acting injectable (LAI) olanzapine and risperidone.

DESIGN

A double-center study was performed on outpatients with psychosis, which were divided into two samples: one treated with olanzapine and another with risperidone.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The following data were analyzed: age, gender, severity of psychiatric symptoms, blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, tobacco use, medication, and time intervals related to psychosis duration (pre-LAI and LAI treatment).

RESULTS

The study included 77 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. MS was present in 45 (58.4%) patients. Subjects with MS and abdominal obesity had higher durations of psychosis and of LAI treatment. Patients with hypertension had a higher pre-LAI treatment interval. Risperidone was associated with higher rates of hypertension and higher values of abdominal circumference than olanzapine.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of MS is related to the duration of the psychosis and the time spent on LAI treatment with no differences between olanzapine and risperidone. Hypertension may be a consequence of age, disorder induced stress, or of treatment with risperidone.