Hyperglycaemia in patients treated with second generation antipsychotics.

Abstract

The association of second generation antipsychotic medications and hyperglycaemia has been reported for Caucasian populations but is unknown for asian patients who unfortunately are predisposed to diabetes. We report the findings from a health quality improvement project which tracked patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder newly started on second generation antipsychotics. 266 patients were newly started on second generation antipsychotics in a 2 year period. Amongst the baseline parameters monitored was the fasting plasma glucose levels. Repeat testing was done at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 12 months. 14 patients were excluded form the analysis as they had diabetes at the start of treatment with second generation antipsychotics. Hyperglycaemia was found in 88 patients (34.9%). 68 (77.3%) of these patients experienced the Hyperglycaemia at 12 weeks, 3 patients (3.4%) at 4 weeks and 17 patients (19.3%) at 12 months. Fasting plasma glucose levels were highest at 4 weeks. Despite the limitations of the project, the one third prevalence of hyperglycaemia amongst patients newly started on second generation antipsychotics is a cause for concern and suggests the need for further extensive follow-up and assessment of the problem.