title: A case series: evaluation of the metabolic safety of aripiprazole.
abstract: Metabolic abnormalities occur frequently in patients treated with antipsychotics and are of growing concern to clinicians. This study sought to determine whether antipsychotic-associated metabolic abnormalities identified through intensive monitoring can be reversed by switching to aripiprazole. Recent evidence suggests that aripiprazole may exhibit a favorable metabolic safety profile. The study population is a subset of a large (n > 500) ongoing prospective cohort. Thirty-one consecutive patients with schizophrenia who were started on aripiprazole were included in the study. All patients underwent an extensive metabolic evaluation, including an oral glucose tolerance test, at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 3 months post switch. Metabolic abnormalities were defined as any of the following: new onset diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to various definitions, and dyslipidemia. After 3 months of treatment with aripiprazole (mean daily dose 16.3 mg), there was a significant decrease in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. There was a significant reduction in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance index, and serum lipids levels (cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL/HDL, Chol/HDL, and non-HDL cholesterol). There was also a significant reduction in prolactin levels. All 7 cases of recent onset diabetes were reversed at 3 months follow-up. The MetS was reversed in 50% of patients at 3 months follow-up. Our results support the reversibility of recent onset diabetes on antipsychotic medication when detected early and followed by a switch to aripiprazole.
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Center Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuvense Steenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium. marc.de.hert@uc-kortenberg.be.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hanssens
authors.forename: Ruud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Winkel
authors.forename: Martien
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wampers
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Eyck
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scheen
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peuskens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001530:Belgium; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole