Psychiatria pre prax 1/2013

Atypical antipsychotics and diabetes mellitus

The risk of development of type 2 diabetes (DM2) is significantly increased in the patients suffering from psychotic diseases such as schizophrenia, depressive disorder or bipolar affective disorder. There are more of the causes of this phenomenon. The patients with abovementioned diseases are characterized by unhealthy lifestyle and also suffer from an increased occurence of the components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Treatment with some atypical antipsychotics (AAP) increases the risk of development of DM2. Atypical antipsychotics can be divided into several groups according to their influencing on the receptors of the neurotransmitters. Spectrum of the receptors, influenced by the individual AAP, determines their effects on the weight gain, plasma lipid levels and the risk of DM2 development.

Keywords: psychotic disorders, atypical antipsychotics, weight gain, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus.