Metabolic assessment and quality of life in a sample of patients in treatment with olanzapine depot

Abstract

Background: Non adherence to medication is a major risk factor contributing to relapse and hospitalization among patients with schizophrenia. Treatment with antipsychotics in depot formulations is recognized as safe and effective for improving medication adherence.(1) Objectives: Metabolic and quality of life assessment of patients treated with olanzapine depot Methods: We studied 24 patients in treatment with olanzapine depot, monitored between 2011-2017. For metabolic assessment we used data from patients' clinical recordings (variation in Blood Pressure, glycaemia, cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI) and for quality of life assessment SF-36.questionnaire and data regarding socio-professional, familial reinsertion, number of relapses and hospitalizations obtained from clinical interview. Results: The studied sample comprised 16 men and 8 women, diagnosed with schizophrenia, most of them being previously treated with oral olanzapine. Most of the patients were under treatment with olanzapine depot 300 mg i.m., two shots per month (at 2 weeks distance). Two patients lost weight, the majority of them had no significant variation in BMI, one patient with increase of 8,4 units in BMI, two patients with stable BMI. 7 of 12 patients had increased cholesterol levels, the rest of biological parameters being normal. Two patients had post-injectional somnolence. 13 patients had no relapses, 3 patients were noncompliant, 3 had relapses, 3 were lost from monitoring and 2 were changed on orally administered olanzapine. 4 patients had total score above 50 at the mental component of SF-36 and 4of them had total score above 50 at the physical component of SF-36. Conclusion: In the studied sample, most of the patients had a favorable evolution regarding clinical aspects, familial and socio-professional reinsertion and metabolic outcomes, which confirms the fact that olanzapine depot is a safe treatment associated with low incidence of relapses. Further studies are needed on large samples, in order to evaluate quality of life in patients treated with olanzapine depot.