Impact of Psychotropic Medication Effects on Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome in People With Serious Mental Illness

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Oct 9:11:573479. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.573479. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

People with serious mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, have a higher mortality rate and shortened life expectancy. This is mainly attributable to physical diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Important risk factors for CVDs are obesity and other metabolic abnormalities, which are especially prevalent in people with SMI. Several factors contribute to this increased risk, including unhealthy lifestyles. Psychotropic medication independently further increases this risk. In this review we want to examine the relationship between obesity and other components of the metabolic syndrome and psychotropic medication in people with SMI.

Keywords: antidepressant; antipsychotic; metabolic syndrome; mood stabilizer; obesity; serious mental illness.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Obesity / etiology*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / adverse effects*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects

Substances

  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Psychotropic Drugs