Do atypical antipsychotics cause weight gain in nursing home dementia residents?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of atypical antipsychotics on weight gain in the elderly resident with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, complicated with agitation and/or psychosis.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Twenty-seven long-term care facilities in Indiana.


METHODS
Residents of long-term care facilities with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, complicated by agitation and/or psychosis, and receiving atypical antipsychotics for a minimum of four weeks.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Changes in weight after initiation of atypical antipsychotic therapy.


RESULTS
Ninety residents were evaluated. Mean age was 83.4 years; 71% were female. Forty-nine percent of the residents gained weight. The residents who received risperidone, olanzapine, or quetiapine gained an average of 5.6 pounds, 8.2 pounds, and 6.1 pounds, respectively. Seven residents had a significant weight gain, and seven residents had a significant weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
In our population we did not observe any significant weight change in individuals receiving risperidone, olanzapine, or quetiapine. Further prospective studies are needed to determine if there is a difference in potential weight gain among the various atypical antipsychotics in residents with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Gurevitz
Samuel L
SL
Care Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., Griffith, IN 46319, USA. slgurevitz@hotmail.com
Costakis
Terry
T
Leiter
John
J