Treatment Discontinuation Impact on Long-Term (10-Year) Weight Gain and Lipid Metabolism in First-Episode Psychosis: Results From the PAFIP-10 Cohort

Background: Patients with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) are at higher risk of gaining weight and presenting metabolic disturbances, partly related to antipsychotic exposure. Previous studies suggest that treatment discontinuation might have a positive impact on weight in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment discontinuation on weight and metabolic changes in a FEP cohort. Methods: A total of 209 FEP patients and 57 healthy controls were evaluated at study entry and prospectively at 10-year follow-up. Anthropometric measures and, clinical, metabolic, and sociodemographic data were collected. Results: Patients discontinuing antipsychotic treatment presented a significantly lower increase in weight and better metabolic parameter results than those still on antipsychotic treatment at 10-year follow-up. Conclusions: Treatment discontinuation had a positive effect on the weight and metabolic changes observed in FEP patients; however, this effect was not sufficient to reaching a complete reversal to normal levels.

Automated summary

Discontinuing antipsychotic treatment in patients with first episode psychosis resulted in lower weight gain and better metabolic parameters at the 10-year follow-up, although the effects were not sufficient for complete reversal to normal levels.