Antipsychotics and Change of Weight, Menstrual Cycle, and Metabolic Syndrome Components Among Schizophrenic Women: A 12-Week Longitudinal Prospective Study in Tien Giang, Vietnam
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Nhu Minh Hang Tran,1 Van Thanh Dung Nguyen,2 Quang Ngoc Linh Nguyen,1 Vu Quoc Huy Nguyen3 1Department of Psychiatry, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue City, Vietnam; 2Department of Psychiatry, Tien Giang Psychiatric Hospital, Tien Giang, Vietnam; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue City, VietnamCorrespondence: Nhu Minh Hang Tran, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue City, Vietnam, Tel +84905108019, Email [email protected]: Antipsychotics are associated with side effects like weight gain, obesity, and menstrual disorders in Women, which can reduce treatment compliance and increase cardiovascular, metabolic risks, dementia, and other chronic diseases, as well as increase mortality, and reduce the quality of life in patients. Data on these effects in Vietnam are limited. This study evaluated changes in body weight, BMI, menstrual cycle, and metabolic syndrome components among female schizophrenic inpatients treated with antipsychotics.Methods: A total of 60 female patients were treated with antipsychotics for at least 3 months before admission. The indicators to be examined, such as weight, BMI, waist circumference, menstrual cycle, blood pressure, and some laboratory tests, including fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, were measured at two points: at baseline and after a 12-week follow-up period.Results: Following 12 weeks of observation, the study participants exhibited significant increases in body weight and BMI as well as prevalence of amenorrhea compared to baseline (p< 0.05). Additionally, the proportion of patients with a waist circumference ≥ 80 cm rose significantly from baseline. Conversely, the number of patients with HDL-C levels < 50 mg/dL decreased significantly compared to baseline.Conclusion: This study showed an association between increased weight, BMI, and amenorrhea with the use of antipsychotic medications. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the rate of components of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases also increased significantly compared to the baseline. This result is consistent with previous studies. Therefore, in psychiatric clinical practice, physicians should pay attention to these undesirable effects to have appropriate management strategies for patients.Keywords: weight change, obesity, amenorrhea, follow–up, antipsychotics, Vietnam
Authors: Tran NMH, Nguyen VTD, Nguyen QNL, Nguyen VQH
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7084213471
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