Clinical Trial: Prevention of Weight Gain in Early Psychoses

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Prevention of Weight Gain in Early Psychoses

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine whether individuals with psychotic spectrum disorders ( Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder,Schizophreniform Disorder, Bipolar Disorder (Type I),Bipolar Disorder (Type II),Major Depressive Disorder With Psychotic Features,Substance-Induced Psychoses,Psychosis Not-Otherwise-Specified (NOS)randomly assigned to a stepped behavioral intervention for the prevention of weight gain will experience less weight gain than individuals who receive usual care. There are several studies that have examined the effect of pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavioural approaches for weight loss in patients with psychosis, however studies examining strategies for prevention of obesity are lacking. This study is an important and novel approach to studying the problem of obesity in those with psychosis.

Detailed Summary:

The rates of obesity and related co-morbidities are several-fold higher in patients with psychosis than in the general population. In addition the life expectancy 20% shorter. Several lifestyle and illness-related factors have been implicated for these high rates, including weight gain associated with treatment with novel antipsychotics. The most important cause of death in psychosis patients is coronary heart disease (CHD), of which obesity is a major risk factor. As well, diabetes and its associated complications occur at high rates in persons with psychosis, and diabetes is both related to obesity and is an independent risk factor for CVD and mortality. It therefore seems reasonable to assume that prevention of obesity may lead to a reduced risk for CVD and diabetes. If the proposed intervention proves successful in preventing weight gain and reducing risk for CVD and diabetes, the quality and length of life for persons with psychosis will be vastly improved and medical costs reduced.

Specifically, we hypothesize that : 1a) a smaller proportion of those in the intervention will gain weight (2% or more) as compared to those receiving usual care, 1b) the mean weight gain of those randomized to the intervention will be less than the mean weight gain in those randomized to usual care 2) Increases in Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) will be smaller in the intervention group as compared to the controls. 3) there will be smaller increases in cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and insulin levels in the intervention group than in the control group. Exploratory analyses of changes in makers for systemic inflammation, and their relationship to weight, and lipid changes, will be conducted to develop novel hypotheses regarding mediators of CVD risk in psychosis.

The study will recruit sixty persons or outpat
Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Current Primary Outcome: Weight [ Time Frame: Measured at week 0, 4, 8 and 16 ]

The proportion with an increase in weight (2% or greater), from baseline to end point.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Laboratory parameters [ Time Frame: Measured at week 0 and 16 ]

  • Fasting glucose
  • Insulin
  • Lipids


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Dates:
Date Received: February 23, 2010
Date Started: February 2010
Date Completion:
Last Updated: December 4, 2012
Last Verified: December 2012