title: The effect of ziprasidone on metabolic syndrome risk factors in subjects with schizophrenia: a 1 year, open-label, prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is prevalent in subjects with schizophrenia-related psychotic disorders and contributes to increased rates of premature death due to cardiovascular disease. This study examined the impact of switching from another antipsychotic to ziprasidone on the distribution of the number of risk factors for MetS in subjects with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 1 year, open-label, prospective study, all subjects received ziprasidone 40-160 mg/day. Standard exclusion criteria included treatment resistance, physical health disorders, and substance abuse. The primary end point was the percentage of subjects achieving a reduction from baseline of at least one risk factor for MetS at end point (week 52 or premature discontinuation) in the per-protocol population (treated for at least 16 weeks). Secondary end points included the mean change from baseline in number of MetS risk factors, the prevalence of MetS, individual MetS risk factors (waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose), and 10 year coronary heart disease (Framingham score) risk.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00748566.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 114 evaluable subjects, 58.77% demonstrated one less MetS risk factor at week 52 (last observation carried forward) compared with baseline. Secondary end points also improved, with reductions in other metabolic parameters (fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and serum insulin, weight, body mass index and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]). The 10 year coronary heart disease risk decreased continually over time. The open-label and uncontrolled design is a limitation of the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ziprasidone treatment reduced both the rate of MetS and its individual risk factors in subjects with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. The results have implications for the selection of first-line treatments in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, and provide treatment options for subjects who have developed MetS as a result of other antipsychotics.
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chue
authors.forename: Francine S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mandel
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Therrien
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D013844:Thiazoles; C092292:ziprasidone
keywords: Atypical antipsychotic; Metabolic syndrome; Schizophrenia; Ziprasidone