Joseph C. Ratliff

Insomnia is frequent in schizophrenia and associated with night eating and obesity

BACKGROUND Sleep difficulties are common in schizophrenia, however these complaints are often overshadowed by more prominent clinical concerns. The point prevalence of insomnia in this population is not well documented. Poor sleep is associated with lower quality of life, impaired cognition, and weight gain. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of insomnia in schizophrenia and to explore the relationship of sleep to cognition, quality of life, and clinical variables. METHOD 175 outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were assessed for insomnia. Participants were evaluated for sleep difficulties, sleep patterns, body mass index, and psychiatric symptoms. Participants were also administered a brief cognitive assessment of processing speed. RESULTS 44% of the sample currently met the criteria for clinical insomnia. An additional 4% were successfully treated with medications. Insomnia was associated with depression and was an independent predictor of lower quality of life. Insomnia was also associated with high rates of night eating and patients with severe insomnia were significantly more obese. The type of antipsychotic did not account for the difference in body mass index. No difference between group means in cognition was detected, although those with severe insomnia did perform least well. CONCLUSION Clinical insomnia in outpatients with schizophrenia is highly prevalent and has a negative impact on quality of life and psychiatric symptoms. This study offers additional support to the association between poor sleep and higher weight, as well as indicating a potential link to night eating in this population. Assessment for sleep difficulties should be a routine part of clinical care.

Cardiovascular risk in a first-episode psychosis sample: a ‘critical period’ for prevention?

OBJECTIVE Studies in first episode psychosis samples about status of cardiovascular risk factors have shown discordant results. We aimed to determine the 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease in a sample of first episode psychosis patients referred to an early intervention clinic and compared the same with age, gender, and race matched controls from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of 56 subjects enrolled in first episode psychosis clinic from April 2006 to January 2010. This sample was compared with age, gender, and race matched 145 individuals drawn from NHANES 2005-2006 database. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected. Physical examination including laboratory evaluation was used to screen for common medical illnesses. The 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease was calculated by using a tool developed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATP III). RESULTS There were elevated rates of smoking (46%) and hypertension (11%) albeit statistically significant differences from the control could not be demonstrated for these measures or weight, body mass index, or total or HDL cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, status of diabetes and impaired fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C level. The 10-year median (range) risk of developing coronary heart disease in patients and controls was 1 (0-5)% and 0 (0-9)% respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS First episode psychosis patients do not present with significantly higher cardiovascular risk than age and race-matched controls despite clinically significant prevalence of individual risk factors. This sample presents an opportunity for early intervention for the primary prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Obese Schizophrenia Spectrum Patients Have Significantly Higher 10-Year General Cardiovascular Risk and Vascular Ages than Obese Individuals without Severe Mental Illness

BACKGROUND Individuals with schizophrenia have a life expectancy that is 20 years less than the general population, along with high rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. OBJECTIVE This study assessed the 10-year general CVD risk and vascular ages of 106 obese schizophrenia spectrum patients and 197 demographically matched obese controls without severe mental illness (SMI) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHODS Vascular age and general CVD risk were calculated using the Framingham global CVD calculator, which incorporates age, sex, total and HDL cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, and diabetes or hypertension treatment. RESULTS Obese schizophrenia spectrum patients had a mean vascular age that was 14.1 years older than their mean actual age, whereas obese NHANES participants had only a 6.7-year difference. The probability of experiencing a CVD event within the next 10 years was 10.7% for obese patients and 8.5% for obese NHANES participants. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that schizophrenia spectrum patients experience increased metabolic risk independent of weight. Primary care clinicians can utilize general CVD risk and vascular age scores to communicate metabolic risk more easily and to help make treatment decisions.

Association of prescription H1 antihistamine use with obesity: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The incidence of obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. Previous research has shown several medications exert noticeable effects on body‐weight regulation. Histamine‐1 (H1) receptor blockers commonly used to alleviate allergy symptoms are known to report weight gain as a possible side effect. Therefore, we investigated the association between prescription H1 antihistamine use and obesity in adults using data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Adults taking prescription H1 antihistamines were matched by age and gender with controls and compared on the basis of body measurements, plasma glucose, insulin concentrations, and lipid levels. Prescription H1 antihistamine users had a significantly higher weight, waist circumference, and insulin concentration than matched controls. The odds ratio (OR) for being overweight was increased in prescription H1 antihistamine users. H1 antihistamine use may contribute to the increased prevalence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome in adults given these medications are also commonly used as over‐the‐counter remedies.

The effect of dietary and physical activity pattern on metabolic profile in individuals with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE With the rate of obesity on the rise worldwide, individuals with schizophrenia represent a particularly vulnerable population. The aim of this study was to assess the metabolic profile of individuals with schizophrenia in relation to dietary and physical activity habits compared with healthy controls. METHODS Dietary and physical activity habits of 130 individuals with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were compared with 250 body mass index-, age-, and sex-matched and racially matched controls from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys using a 24-hour diet recall and a self-report physical activity questionnaire. RESULTS Individuals with schizophrenia had significantly higher levels of glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin compared with matched controls. In addition, these individuals had an increased waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure than did the comparison group. Daily energy intake was not different between groups; however, individuals with schizophrenia consumed significantly greater amounts of sugar and fat. Individuals with schizophrenia reported engaging in moderate physical activity less frequently compared with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys group, but there was no difference in reported vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the dietary and physical activity habits of individuals with schizophrenia contribute to an adverse metabolic profile. Increased opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods for individuals with schizophrenia may ease the burden of disease.

An open-label pilot trial of alpha-lipoic acid for weight loss in patients with schizophrenia without diabetes.

UNLABELLED A possible mechanism of antipsychotic-induced weight gain is activation of hypothalamic monophosphate-dependent kinase (AMPK) mediated by histamine 1 receptors. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant, counteracts this effect and may be helpful in reducing weight for patients taking antipsychotics. The objective of this open-label study was to assess the efficacy of ALA (1,200 mg) on twelve non-diabetic schizophrenia patients over ten weeks. Participants lost significant weight during the intervention (-2.2 kg±2.5 kg). ALA was well tolerated and was particularly effective for individuals taking strongly antihistaminic antipsychotics (-2.9 kg±2.6 kg vs. -0.5 kg±1.0 kg). CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01355952.

Prevalence of night eating in obese individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

The prevalence of Night Eating Syndrome (NES) in the general population is estimated to be 1.5%, however, the rates among individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are not yet established. This study sought to examine the frequency and correlates of NES-related behaviors in a sample of obese patients with schizophrenia. One-hundred outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders completed the self-report Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) and were then interviewed as a follow-up for the specific assessment of NES. Based on a diagnostic interview, 12% of this sample met full criteria for NES, with an additional 10% meeting partial criteria for NES. Based on the NEQ alone, 8% met full criteria with an additional 8% meeting partial criteria. Night eating behaviors were associated with increased insomnia and depression. Our findings suggest that screening for NES among patients with serious mental illness may efficiently identify a subgroup with additional clinical needs.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Naltrexone to Counteract Antipsychotic-Associated Weight Gain: Proof of Concept

Abstract Patients with schizophrenia experience higher rates of obesity as well as related morbidity and mortality than the general population does. Women with schizophrenia are at particular risk for antipsychotic-associated weight gain, obesity, and related medical disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Given preclinical studies revealing the role of the endogenous opioid systems in human appetite and the potential of antipsychotic medications to interfere with this system, we hypothesized that opioid antagonists may be beneficial in arresting antipsychotic-associated weight gain and promoting further weight loss in women with schizophrenia. In the present study, 24 overweight women with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized to placebo or naltrexone (NTX) 25 mg/d for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure was a change in body weight from baseline. The patients in the NTX group had significant weight loss (−3.40 kg) compared with weight gain (+1.37 kg) in the patients in the placebo group. Mainly, nondiabetic subjects lost weight in the NTX arm. These data support the need to further investigate the role of D2 blockade in reducing food reward-based overeating. A larger study addressing the weaknesses of this pilot study is currently underway.

Reliability and Practicality of Measuring Waist Circumference to Monitor Cardiovascular Risk Among Community Mental Health Center Patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of measuring waist circumference (WC) in obese individuals with severe psychiatric disabilities. Reliability of the measure and researchers’ comfort were assessed. Thirty outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were recruited from an urban community mental health center and WC was measured using two methods by three different raters. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was calculated. Raters reported on their comfort with obtaining WC. There was good inter-rater reliability and an acceptable rate of error independent of measurement location. Overall, raters were not comfortable with the WC measurement process for multiple reasons and reported difficulty with the measurement process. Our findings suggest that non-medical staff can reliably and validly measure WC within a typical outpatient mental health treatment setting, but discomfort with the procedure and difficulty with the measurement process may interfere with this practice as part of usual care.

Contingency Management for the Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Objective: Weight gain is common for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) receiving antipsychotic drug therapy. Contingency management (CM) is a behavioral intervention that rewards positive performance and has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing drug use in SMI populations. This study evaluated the feasibility of using CM to promote weight loss in individuals with SMI over 8 weeks. Method: 30 individuals (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) were randomized to one of three conditions: i) The combination of a standardized lifestyle modification (LM) program for individuals with SMI and payment for group attendance (CMattendance), ii) The combination of LM and payment for weight loss (CMweight), and iii) waitlist control (CON). After the waitlist period, those participants joined a LM group and received payment for behavioral change (CMbehavior). Results: Subjects in the CMattendance and in the CMweight group lost a mean of 1.16 kg and 1.23 kg, respectively, while subjects in the CON gained a mean of 0.68 kg. Subjects receiving CMbehavior, lost a mean of 2.54 kg, which was a significant weight loss compared to the control period. Conclusion: LM supplemented with CM may facilitate weight loss in patients taking antipsychotic medications; financial reimbursement for behavioral change may be particularly effective in this population.