Obesity,diabetes and hypertension associated with antipsychotic use in remitted schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension associated with antipsychotic use in remitted patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This study included a cross sectional survey of diabetes, obesity and hypertension among all remitted patients diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (n = 130) on at least 6 months of antipsychotic treatment. Results: A prevalence of 35.4% obesity, 1.5% hypertension and 3.8% (ADA) or 5.4% (WHO) prevalence of diabetes was observed. Conclusions: The use of antipsychotic drugs in the long run may be associated with a significantly greater risk of developing obesity with moderate influence on development of diabetes and minimal to none on hypertension.