Positive Symptoms in Antipsychotic-naïve Schizophrenia are Associated with Increased Body Mass Index after Treatment
10.9758/cpn.2021.19.1.155
- Author:
Shih-Hsien LIN
1
;
Huai-Hsuan TSENG
;
Hsin Chun TSAI
;
Mei Hung CHI
;
I Hui LEE
;
Po See CHEN
;
Kao Chin CHEN
;
Yen Kuang YANG
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Publication Type:Brief Report
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
2021;19(1):155-159
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:Weight gain is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality among patients with schizophrenia. We speculated that positive symptoms, related to dopaminergic hyperactivity and altered mesolimbic function, are associated with weight gain.
Methods:Twenty-two antipsychotic-naïve, first-episode patients with schizophrenia were enrolled. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was completed at enrollment and follow-up. Body mass index (BMI) was also measured.
Results:The increase in BMI, after 6.04 ± 2.16 years of follow-up, was associated with positive symptoms, but not negative symptoms, before treatment with antipsychotics in antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophrenia.
Conclusion:This finding implied that dopaminergic hyperactivity could be an important factor to predict the treatment outcome. Body weight control is important for the health management of patients with schizophrenia with more severe positive symptoms.
