title: Continuing weight-loss effect after topiramate discontinuation in obese persons with schizophrenia: a pilot open-label study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have investigated the likelihood of weight maintenance in obese persons with schizophrenia after their initial successful weight loss. This pilot open-label study examined the efficacy of topiramate in weight loss and the trajectory of weight changes after topiramate discontinuation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study enrolled 10 obese persons with schizophrenia. A 4-month treatment phase was started, followed by a 12-month discontinuation phase. Body weight was measured as the primary outcome every month. Secondary outcomes included leptin levels, fasting glucose, lipid profiles, and insulin resistance index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the 4-month addition of topiramate, participants lost 1.79 kg of their body weight (95% CI=-3.03 to -0.56, p=0.005). The maximum weight reduction was 4.32 kg, occurring when topiramate had been discontinued for 12 months (95% CI=-6.41 to -2.24, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The continuing weight-loss effect after topiramate discontinuation might have resulted from topiramate's potential to improve leptin functioning. These findings demonstrate that topiramate's weight-loss effect could not only persist during its administration, but also continue to improve after its discontinuation.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: C-S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Beitou Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: F-W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: S-Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Beitou Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: P-S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia; D013997:Time Factors; D000077236:Topiramate; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D020738:Leptin; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose