Psychotropic medications are often prescribed, many of which are associated with
weight gain, hyperglycemia or glucose intolerance.
Lead investigator Dr. Lorraine E. Levitt Katz, stated that, "We started seeing
pediatric patients who had gained a tremendous amount of weight while they were
on some of the newer atypical antipsychotic agents." "We thought initially
this would all be medication related, but it appears to be more multifactorial
than that."
Dr. Katz and her associates reviewed the charts of their patients who had type
2 diabetes to determine how many were being treated for a neuropsychiatric disease
at the time of their diabetes diagnosis.
Among the 237 patients, 46 (19.4%) had been diagnosed with a neuropsychiatric
disease. Twenty-nine were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication, most
frequently mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics.
Body mass index was not significantly different among those with neuropsychiatric
illnesses (mean 33.7 versus 34.3). Gender distribution, race and age at onset
were also similar in those with and those without a neuropsychiatric disease.
The authors theorize that "diabetes could appear in these patients due to
a common neuroendocrine basis between the two diseases, a sudden increase in weight,
overeating related to poor impulse control, and altered brain physiology due to
neuropsychiatric disease."
They recommend that obese children with neuropsychiatric conditions be tested
for diabetes, and that those with diabetes or insulin resistance be screened for
psychiatric disorders.
"Before putting children on medications that may cause weight gain and an
increase in insulin resistance, a risk-benefit analysis needs to be done,"
Dr. Katz said.
She noted that children with psychiatric diagnoses may be more sedentary and less
prone to regular physical activity.
"I think there needs to be an individualized lifestyle related program,"
she added, "because for these kids there are more challenges associated with
their additional diagnoses."
Pediatr Diabetes 2005;6:84-89.
================================
DID YOU KNOW:
PRE-PREGNANCY EXERCISE LOWERS GESTATIONAL DIABETES RISK:
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a common pregnancy complication, is associated
with substantial short- and long-term adverse health outcomes for both mothers
and offspring. How to reduce GDM risk? Get moving ahead of time, according to
the Nurses' Health Study (#1912). Compared with women who were sedentary both
at an early age (18-22 years) and before the index pregnancy, those who frequently
engaged in vigorous activity (such as faster walking pace and greater stair
climbing) in both periods had a 26% lower risk for GDM.
ADA 65th Scientific Sessions Poster 1912
|
Entries (RSS News)
