A psychoeducational program for weight loss in patients who have experienced weight gain during antipsychotic treatment with olanzapine.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a psychoeducational program (PEP) for weight control in patients who had experienced an increase of body weight during treatment with olanzapine.


METHODS
Eligible patients were randomised to the PEP (Group 1) or to no intervention (Group 2) and continued on olanzapine. After 12 weeks, the PEP was also started in Group 2 and continued in Group 1, up to week 24. Body weight was measured every month. Other measures included quality of life, and change in plasma glucose and lipids levels.


RESULTS
Patients in Group 1 (n=15) had a mean weight loss of 3.6 kg at week 12 and 4.5 kg at week 24 (p<0.01 at both times, p<0.01 between groups at week 12), while those in Group 2 (n=18) had no changes at week 12 and a significant weight loss at week 24 (-3.6 kg from week 12, p<0.01). Changes of BMI paralleled those of body weight. Quality of life (Q-LES-Q-SF categorisation) and functioning (GAF) significantly improved in the total population at endpoint (p<0.01). No significant changes were observed in fasting glucose and lipid profile, while insulin levels significantly decreased from baseline to endpoint in both groups (p<0.05). HOMA index and hepatic insulin sensitivity improved, too.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with increased BMI during treatment with olanzapine experienced significant weight and BMI loss following a structured psychoeducational program.
Mauri
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. mmauri@med.unipi.it
Simoncini
M
M
Castrogiovanni
S
S
Iovieno
N
N
Cecconi
D
D
Dell'Agnello
G
G
Quadrigli
M
M
Rossi
A
A
Donda
P
P
Fagiolini
A
A
Cassano
G B
GB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine