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Predicting antipsychotic-induced weight gain in first episode psychosis – A field-wide systematic review and meta-analysis of non-genetic prognostic factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2023

Ita Fitzgerald*
Affiliation:
Pharmacy Department, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Dublin, Ireland School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Laura J. Sahm
Affiliation:
School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Pharmacy Department, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
Amy Byrne
Affiliation:
Pharmacy Department, Connolly Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Jean O’Connell
Affiliation:
Endocrinology Department, St Columcille’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland St Vincent’s University Hospital Group, Dublin, Ireland
Joie Ensor
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Ciara Ní Dhubhlaing
Affiliation:
Pharmacy Department, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Dublin, Ireland College of Mental Health Pharmacy, Burgess Hill, UK
Sarah O’Dwyer
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Dublin, Ireland
Erin K. Crowley
Affiliation:
School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
*
Corresponding author: Ita Fitzgerald; Email: itafitzgerald@rcsi.ie

Abstract

Background

Whether non-genetic prognostic factors significantly influence the variable prognosis of antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) has not yet been systematically explored.

Methods

Searches for both randomized and non-randomized studies were undertaken using four electronic databases, two trial registers, and via supplemental searching methods. Unadjusted and adjusted estimates were extracted. Meta-analyses were undertaken using a random-effects generic inverse model. Risk of bias and quality assessments were undertaken using Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), respectively.

Results

Seventy-two prognostic factors were assessed across 27 studies involving 4426 participants. Only age, baseline body mass index (BMI), and sex were suitable for meta-analysis. Age (b=−0.044, 95%CI −0.157–0.069), sex (b=0.236, 95%CI −0.086–0.558), and baseline BMI (b=−0.013 95%CI −0.225–0.200) were associated with nonsignificant effects on AIWG prognosis. The highest quality GRADE rating was moderate in support of age, trend of early BMI increase, antipsychotic treatment response, unemployment, and antipsychotic plasma concentration. Trend of early BMI increase was identified as the most clinically significant prognostic factor influencing long-term AIWG prognosis.

Conclusions

The strong prognostic information provided by BMI trend change within 12 weeks of antipsychotic initiation should be included within AIWG management guidance to highlight those at highest risk of worse long-term prognosis. Antipsychotic switching and resource-intensive lifestyle interventions should be targeted toward this cohort. Our results challenge previous research that several clinical variables significantly influence AIWG prognosis. We provide the first mapping and statistical synthesis of studies examining non-genetic prognostic factors of AIWG and highlight practice, policy, and research implications.

Information

Type
Review/Meta-analysis
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
Figure 0

Table 1. Modified PICOTS criteria applied to this review

Figure 1

Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram of study selection process.

Figure 2

Table 2. Overview of study characteristics of all studies included in the review

Figure 3

Figure 2. Sankey chart outlining the most frequently studied prognostic factor-outcome associations. Thickness of each line connecting a prognostic factor with an outcome depends on the number of participants across studies examining the association. Each outcome studied is reflected in the diagram by a different color. Lines highlighted in pink specifically indicate moderate quality supporting evidence as per GRADE assessment. * Indicates moderate–large effect size demonstrated. ** Very low-quality supporting evidence for this prognostic factor-outcome association.

Figure 4

Figure 3. Forest plot of adjusted estimates effects of age, sex, and pre-antipsychotic (baseline) BMI studied for their impact on change in BMI and weight at short- and long-term outcomes.

Figure 5

Table 3. Summary of review conclusions

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