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Obesity and metabolic syndrome in a psychiatric rehabilitation service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

L-E Chua
Affiliation:
Hunter New England Area Health Service, Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Newcastle, Australia
S Tirupati
Affiliation:
Hunter New England Area Health Service, Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Newcastle, Australia
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Abstract

Type
Abstracts from ‘Brainwaves’— The Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Annual Meeting 2006, 6–8 December, Sydney, Australia
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Background:

The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in people on antipsychotic medication is related to increased morbidity and mortality. It adversely influences management of chronic mental disorders in a rehabilitation setting in several ways, including poor treatment adherence and impediment to work and independent functioning.

Methods:

A clinical audit of 216 patients with psychotic disorders in a rehabilitation unit was done to diagnose metabolic syndrome using the criteria International Diabetes Federation (2005).

Results:

Overweight and obesity was identified in 89% and metabolic syndrome in 68% of the cohort. The risk for metabolic syndrome was 17 times more in obese people compared with normal-weight people. Polypharmacy was disproportionately associated with the syndrome. Case examples highlight that regular exercise, dietary control and GP consultation can reverse the adverse metabolic status without any change in antipsychotic drug regimen.

Conclusions:

Management of metabolic syndrome should be an integral component of management of people on antipsychotic medication. A protocol for an active intervention program that needs to be initiated early and continued through the course of antipsychotic drug treatment is presented.