A Systematic Experimental Analysis of Metabolic Dysregulation in Schizophrenia: Age and Gender Disparities During Antipsychotic Treatment

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of antipsychotic medication on metabolic biomarkers in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, with a specific emphasis on potential negative consequences. In a randomized controlled trial, 120 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group received antipsychotic medication, while the control group underwent non-pharmacological interventions. A 12-week intervention was conducted to evaluate metabolic biomarkers such as fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and body mass index (BMI). These biomarkers were measured both before and after the intervention. The findings indicate that there were notable disturbances in the metabolic functioning of the participants in the experimental group. The fasting glucose levels showed a significant increase from a mean of 12.58 mg/dl (pretest) to 16.92 mg/dl (posttest), suggesting an elevated level of metabolic dysregulation. The data indicates that there was a decrease in insulin sensitivity from an initial value of 16.1 to a final value of 14.90. This decrease suggests an increase in insulin resistance. The experimental group exhibited significant increases in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and BMI (p<0.05). The metabolic outcomes were also influenced by gender and age. The data shows that female patients had a greater degree of metabolic dysregulation in all biomarkers when compared to male patients. The study found that metabolic functioning was more significantly disrupted in older patients compared to younger patients. The control group that received non-pharmacological interventions exhibited contrasting outcomes, as there were improvements observed in metabolic biomarkers after the intervention. The control group experienced significant decreases in fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and BMI. In addition, a psychosocial intervention known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was introduced to the experimental group. This intervention led to a decrease in the severity of symptoms associated with schizophrenia (SSS). The mean scores for the SSS were found to be higher in the control group (24.6 compared to 16.7) when compared to the experimental group. This suggests that there may be potential benefits in utilizing psychosocial interventions alongside antipsychotic medications. This study emphasizes the significance of comprehending and tackling the metabolic effects linked to antipsychotic therapy in individuals with schizophrenia. Tailored interventions, such as non-pharmacological approaches and psychosocial interventions, have the potential to enhance patient-centered care