Treatment Discontinuation Impact on Long-Term (10-Year) Weight Gain and Lipid Metabolism in First-Episode Psychosis: Results From the PAFIP-10 Cohort
Javier Vázquez-Bourgón, Jaqueline Mayoral-van Son, Marcos Gómez‐Revuelta, María Juncal‐Ruíz, Víctor Ortiz‐García de la Foz, Diana Tordesillas‐Gutiérrez, Rosa Ayesa‐Arriola, Miquel Bioque, Benedicto Crespo‐Facorro
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) are at higher risk of gaining weight and presenting metabolic disturbances, partly related to antipsychotic exposure. Previous studies suggest that treatment discontinuation might have a positive impact on weight in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment discontinuation on weight and metabolic changes in a FEP cohort. METHODS: A total of 209 FEP patients and 57 healthy controls were evaluated at study entry and prospectively at 10-year follow-up. Anthropometric measures and, clinical, metabolic, and sociodemographic data were collected. RESULTS: Patients discontinuing antipsychotic treatment presented a significantly lower increase in weight and better metabolic parameter results than those still on antipsychotic treatment at 10-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment discontinuation had a positive effect on the weight and metabolic changes observed in FEP patients; however, this effect was not sufficient to reaching a complete reversal to normal levels.