An initial step in developing a treatment programme for antipsychotic-induced obesity

Clozapine is the gold standard for managing treatment-resistant schizophrenia, affecting up to 30% of patients with the disorder. Unfortunately, it has also been associated with the highest risk for developing obesity and metabolic complications when compared to other drugs in its class. So, at present, clinicians are faced with a difficult choice between efficacy and long-term complications. Despite the knowledge that clozapine leads to metabolic complications, we have very little information as to why this is the case, which makes it difficult to develop interventions to address this problem.

We are conducting a detailed survey of patients taking clozapine, in order to understand their dietary habits, activity levels, socio-demographic characteristics, level of functioning, quality of life, and factors that might influence weight gain and its consequences. This study will lay down the groundwork for developing a programme for the treatment of obesity and its consequences, which will be tailored to the local population. We believe that such a treatment will improve the physical and mental well-being of this group of patients.

This work is also supported by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and the NARSAD. CLRN and MHRN are also providing support.

 Current Sites: Cambridge Good Outcome Schizophrenia Clinic (CPFT), Clozapine Clinic Huntingdon (CPFT) & Clozapine Clinic at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. 

Contact for further info: Dr. Jorge Zimbron / Dr. Emilio Fernandez-Egea.

CPFT R&D officer: Rachel Kyd (rachel.kyd@cpft.nhs.uk)

Ethics Committee Approval: REC 12/EE/0373