Abstract

Background: Antipsychotic medications increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity in individuals with psychiatric disorders, but little is known about how these medications affect the development of metabolic abnormalities. So, this study aimed to assess the association between obesity, T2DM, and antipsychotic medications used in patients suffering from psychiatric disorders.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 385 adult patients aged between 20 and 40 who suffered from psychiatric disorders. The patients were treated with second-generation antipsychotic medications for a minimum of 1 year during a period from March 2024 to June 2024 at Al-Amal Hospital in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia.
Results: Our study enrolled 385 patients with psychiatric disorders. Their mean and standard deviation age was 32.30 (5.97) years. Diabetes mellitus was the most reported chronic illness among patients 99 (77.3%). Only 65 (16.9%) had high random blood glucose levels. Regarding obesity, the majority of major psychotic disorders patients were obese 301 (78.4%). 34 (8.8%) had high levels of total cholesterol. 104 (27.1%) had high levels of low-density lipoproteins, and 136 (35.7%) had high levels of high-density lipoprotein.
Conclusion: The current study confirmed a significant association between the use of antipsychotic drugs and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Key words: Antipsychotic Medications, Diabetes mellitus type 2, Obesity, Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia