Diabetes mellitus and schizophrenia: historical perspective.
BACKGROUND
Although recent research has focused on the possible role of antipsychotic medications in the development of diabetes mellitus, studies conducted in the pre-neuroleptic era suggest that schizophrenia itself might predispose individuals to diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that diabetes mellitus is an integral part of schizophrenia.


METHODS
Historical literature review.


RESULTS
Many people with severe mental illnesses, including dementia praecox, showed abnormal responses to insulin and diabetes-like glucose tolerance curves long before the advent of phenothiazines. Early studies with chlorpromazine suggested that a latent tendency towards diabetes in patients with schizophrenia could be unmasked by this treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes and disturbed carbohydrate metabolism may be an integral part of schizophrenia. Further research is required to explain how metabolic factors, medications and lifestyle factors might precipitate diabetes in patients with this mental disorder.
Kohen
Dora
D
Lancashire Postgraduate School of Medicine and Health, Psychiatric Department, Mental Health Management Block, Leigh Infirmary, Leigh WN7 1HS, UK. dorakohen@doctors.org.uk
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000266:history*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010640:Phenothiazines