Changes in Anthropometry and Biochemical Parameters after Six months of Treatment in Newly Diagnosed Schizophrenic Patients: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: In schizophrenia, chemical pathophysiology is not fully understood. Hereditary, environmental free radicalinduced damage is the proposed mechanism associated with it. Drug-related complications in schizophrenia due to altered pro-oxidative and antioxidant homeostasis is the major concern for a psychiatrist. Aim: To evaluate changes in anthropometry and biochemical parameters by antipsychotic drugs and correlation between Serum Uric Acid (SUA) with other parameters before and after third and six months of treatment, in newly diagnosed schizophrenic patients. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, observational study based on ICD-10 criteria, 107 drug-naive schizophrenia patients were screened for weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) as anthropometric variables, Blood Pressure (BP) and biochemical variables i.e., Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-c) and uric acid at the time of diagnosis, then after 3rd and 6th months of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A p-value 4 mg/dL could be the ‘Red flag’ sign to trigger antioxidant SUA into pro-oxidant. These outcomes also provide a hypothetical basis for use of antioxidant supplementation as novel therapeutic strategies. Such implications could improve the prognosis and prevent future complication in schizophrenic patients.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• antipsychotics drugs
• hyperuricaemia
• oxidative stress
• uric acid