Impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on weight loss after vertical sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Mental health disorders, such as depression, are prominent within the bariatric population, with antidepressants ranking among the most frequently prescribed medications.

OBJECTIVES

Our surgery aimed to investigate selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) effects on weight loss in patients undergoing vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG).

SETTING

University affiliated Community Hospital, United States.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review at a single bariatric center, involving multiple bariatric surgeons, on adults (>18 years of age) who underwent VSG between 2011 and 2018. The patients were followed for a total of 2 years. Exclusion criteria included revisional surgery during the 2-year follow-up period, SSRI prescription initiated after the index surgery or within 2 years following surgery, and individuals who missed 3 or more postoperative visits. A total of 267 patients met the criteria and were categorized into 2 groups: those prescribed an SSRI prior to surgery and those not on an SSRI. Statistical analysis was performed using T-tests and chi-square tests, with significance set at P < .05.

RESULTS

The preoperative weight in the SSRI group averaged 118.57 kg (±20.59), whereas in the non-SSRI group, it averaged 129.60 kg (±24.39) (P < .0001). Similarly, the preoperative body mass index (BMI) in the SSRI group averaged 43.34 (±6.14), while in the non-SSRI group, it averaged 46.13 (±6.82) (P = .001). At the 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups, the average BMI and weight were lower in the SSRI group compared to the non-SSRI group. However, at the 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, the weight and BMI were no longer statistically different. There was no significant difference in the percentage total weight change (%TWC) between the groups; the %TWC was 22.17 in the SSRI group and 23.35 in the non-SSRI group (P = .324). Follow-up attendance significantly decreased at each subsequent interval, with 65.41% in the SSRI group and 29.27% in the non-SSRI group at the 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our analysis, we suggest that VSG can be an effective option for weight loss in patients taking SSRIs. However, due to the limitations, particularly with follow-up of this study, further research is needed to support this conclusion.

Weight-related correlates of psychological dysregulation in adolescent and young adult (AYA) females with severe obesity

OBJECTIVE

Severe obesity is the fastest growing pediatric subgroup of excess weight levels. Psychological dysregulation (i.e., impairments in regulating cognitive, emotional, and/or behavioral processes) has been associated with obesity and poorer weight loss outcomes. The present study explored associations of dysregulation with weight-related variables among adolescent and young adult (AYA) females with severe obesity.

METHODS

Fifty-four AYA females with severe obesity (MBMI = 48.71 kg/m(2); Mage = 18.29, R = 15-21 years; 59.3% White) completed self-report measures of psychological dysregulation and weight-related constructs including meal patterns, problematic eating behaviors, and body and weight dissatisfaction, as non-surgical comparison participants in a multi-site study of adolescent bariatric surgery outcomes. Pearson and bivariate correlations were conducted and stratified by age group to analyze associations between dysregulation subscales (affective, behavioral, cognitive) and weight-related variables.

RESULTS

Breakfast was the most frequently skipped meal (consumed 3-4 times/week). Eating out was common (4-5 times/week) and mostly occurred at fast-food restaurants. Evening hyperphagia (61.11%) and eating in the absence of hunger (37.04%) were commonly endorsed, while unplanned eating (29.63%), a sense of loss of control over eating (22.22%), eating beyond satiety (22.22%), night eating (12.96%), and binge eating (11.11%) were less common. Almost half of the sample endorsed extreme weight dissatisfaction. Dysregulation was associated with most weight-related attitudes and behaviors of interest in young adults but select patterns emerged for adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of psychological dysregulation are associated with greater BMI, problematic eating patterns and behaviors, and body dissatisfaction in AYA females with severe obesity. These findings have implications for developing novel intervention strategies for severe obesity in AYAs that may have a multidimensional impact on functioning (e.g., psychosocial health, weight loss behaviors).

Olanzapine and food craving: a case control study

BACKGROUND

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain is a problematic side effect. The mechanism is still not fully understood. Carbohydrate (and possibly other food) cravings have been suggested in literature, but not been systematically investigated.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the hypothesis that food cravings, especially for carbohydrate, are responsible for olanzapine-induced weight gain.

METHOD

A case control design was used to measure general and specific food cravings using Food Craving Inventory (White et al., 2002) in three groups: patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia taking olanzapine (Number = 20) or typical antipsychotics (Number = 20) and in a healthy control group (Number = 20).

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups in the craving scores. There was a trend in the typical group to show more cravings than other groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study failed to prove the hypothesis that carbohydrate craving is responsible for olanzapine-induced weight gain. This conclusion is limited by the small number of the subjects included.

Appropriate intervention strategies for weight gain induced by olanzapine: a randomized controlled study

Weight gain induced by antipsychotics is the second most frequently given reason for noncompliance with pharmacologic therapy; excessive sedative effects rank first, with extrapyramidal side effects ranking third. Frequently, weight gain leads to inconsistent pharmacologic treatment; this exposes patients to the risk of recurrent symptoms. In fact, one of the key contributors to good clinical outcomes in schizophrenic patients is compliance with pharmacologic treatment. The goals of this study were to evaluate weight gain in a group of patients treated with olanzapine, diet modifications, and moderate physical activity and to compare the findings with those from a second group of patients who were given only olanzapine treatment. For 8 wk, investigators followed 2 groups of patients suffering from schizophrenia and hypomania in bipolar disorder, according to the nosographic criteria of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). The first group (A) of 18 patients (9 female, 9 male) affected by manic episodes in bipolar disorder received olanzapine (10-20 mg/d), jogged lightly for 30 min 3 times a week, and complied with a diet that consisted of 500 kcal/d less than usual. The second group (B) of 10 patients (4 female, 6 male) with schizophrenia received only olanzapine (10-20 mg/d). All patients from both groups were weighed at the beginning of the observation period and weekly thereafter for 2 mo. After 2 mo of observation, group A showed a mean weight gain of 1.47 kg, whereas group B exhibited a mean weight gain of 3.5 kg; the difference between the 2 groups was almost 2 kg (P<.005). Group A showed a statistically significant reduction in weight gain compared with group B, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of moderate physical activity and diet therapy in reducing weight gain in atypical antipsychotic treatment. Therefore, patient weight and body mass index must be monitored during the first weeks of antipsychotic treatment, with the goals of avoiding significant weight gain and treatment interruption.

Long-term treatment with atypical antipsychotics and the risk of weight gain : a literature analysis

The aim of this review is to analyse and summarise the literature data about the incidence of weight gain in patients exposed to atypical antipsychotics during long-term (>or=1 year) treatment regimens. Despite the clinical relevance of the topic, the vast majority of reviewed studies showed methodological limitations. Some trials had retrospective analysis, and concomitant medications also associated with an increased risk of weight gain, such as antidepressants and mood stabilisers, were often prescribed. Results were obtained from clinical trials conducted using flexible dosages; thus, the relationship between dosage and weight change was not explored adequately. Also, in a large number of studies, the average antipsychotic daily dose was lower than the usual dosage in clinical practice. Moreover, weight gain was evaluated by different measures, such as mean weight gain in the enrolled population, percentage of patients who gained >7% of basal weight or body mass index (BMI) variations from baseline. In short-term studies, a definite rank order of weight-gain potential among atypical antipsychotics has been demonstrated: clozapine is related to the highest risk of weight gain, followed in decreasing order of magnitude by olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, amisulpride, aripiprazole and ziprasidone. However, in long-term studies, except for clozapine at one end of the scale and ziprasidone at the other, the differences in weight-gain liability showed by the other atypical antipsychotics became less intense. Differences between short-term and long-term treatment could be due to a complex overlapping of different factors, both drug-specific (relative receptorial affinity; timing of weight change plateau; and drug-specific/dose-dependent weight gain), and patient-specific (genetic vulnerability; sex; age; BMI; weight before starting antipsychotic treatment; type of psychiatric disorder; and individual lifestyle). There is an urgent need for well designed, randomised controlled trials to assess firmly both the differential effects of atypical antipsychotics on weight and the role of other factors in contributing to iatrogenic unwanted weight changes. Meanwhile, the well known benefits shown by some atypical antipsychotics in reducing akathisia and other extrapyramidal adverse effects and improving cognition should be carefully balanced with the problems of weight gain, other metabolic complications and higher health care costs.

Psychiatric medication induced obesity: an aetiologic review

A majority of psychiatric medications are known to generate weight gain and ultimately obesity in some patients. There is much speculation about the prevalence of weight gain and the degree of weight gain during acute and longitudinal treatment, but consensus shows that weight gain is prominent. The present review looked at the aetiology and cause of weight gain associated with psychotropic use and presents hypotheses as to why patients gain weight on antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants. It is found that most psychotropic medications induce some weight gain, and clinicians are encouraged to utilize active interventions to alleviate the weight gain in order to prevent more serious obesity related comorbidities.

Psychiatric medication-induced obesity: a review

A majority of psychiatric medications are known to generate weight gain and ultimately obesity in some patients. There is much speculation about the prevalence of weight gain and the degree of weight gain during acute and longitudinal treatment with these agents. There is newer literature looking at the aetiology of this weight gain and the potential treatments being used to alleviate this side-effect. We found solid evidence that weight gain is often associated with the mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics and antidepressants. Only few weight neutral or weight loss producing psychotropics are available, and weight gain, outside of an immediate side-effect, may generate secondary side-effects and medical comorbidity. Weight gain may cause hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, sedentary lifestyle, coronary artery disease, etc. Given the likelihood of inducing weight gain with psychotropic medications and the longitudinal impact on physical health, a thorough literature review is warranted to determine the epidemiology, aetiology and treatment options of psychotropic-induced weight gain.

Weight gain and improvement with quetiapine in bipolar I disorder: a case report

Observations made with quetiapine (QUET) in this case give clues for some aspects of its use for patients with bipolar disorder. Weight gain (11 kg; 16.6% increase in 21 weeks) and improvement in manic symptoms occurred after QUET add-on to lithium (Li). Patient's mood improved after QUET add-on without causing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), while QUET was discontinued due to weight gain. Short-term QUET add-on to Li may help mood stabilization in bipolar I disorder. Weight changes must be observed carefully.

Chronic treatment with antipsychotics in rats as a model for antipsychotic-induced weight gain in human

Several clinical reports have demonstrated that most antipsychotics of the new generation, but not the typical antipsychotic haloperidol, induce weight gain in schizophrenic patients. Since weight gain induces serious health complications in humans, it is crucial to test upcoming antipsychotic compounds in an animal model of weight gain. With the aim of evaluating whether the rat can be used as a model for antipsychotic-induced weight gain, we have investigated the effect of chronic treatment (3 weeks) with one antipsychotic drug inducing weight gain in clinic (olanzapine) and one antipsychotic not inducing weight gain in clinic (haloperidol), on food and water intake and body weight gain in rats. We included both female and male rats in this study. To reduce spontaneous high food intake in rats, and to be able to evaluate the treatment effect on a potential increase of food intake or metabolic changes, we allowed animal to receive only low-palatability chow. In male rats, none of the two compounds induced weight gain, but in female rats, both compounds induced weight gain. Consequently, the effect observed in rats does not match the clinical situation, and Wistar rats in this set-up cannot be considered a relevant model for antipsychotic-induced weight gain in humans.

A review of the effect of atypical antipsychotics on weight

Controlled research trials have shown that atypical antipsychotics have important advantages over standard antipsychotics, including a broader spectrum of efficacy and improved tolerability profile, particularly with regard to neurological adverse events such as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Some atypical antipsychotics, however, tend to cause significant weight gain, which may lead to poor compliance and other adverse health effects. The mechanisms involved in antipsychotic drug-related weight gain are as yet uncertain, although serotoninergic, histaminic, and adrenergic affinities have been implicated along with other metabolic mechanisms. The atypical antipsychotics vary in their propensity to cause weight change with long-term treatment. Follow-up studies show that the largest weight gains are associated with clozapine and olanzapine, and the smallest with quetiapine and ziprasidone. Risperidone is associated with modest weight changes that are not dose related. Given the equivalent efficacy of atypical antipsychotics, weight-gain profile is a legitimate factor to consider when constructing an algorithm for treatment due to the serious medical consequences of obesity.

Clinical outcome of adjunctive topiramate treatment in a sample of refractory bipolar patients with comorbid conditions

Topiramate, a novel antiepileptic agent, has shown promise in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Patients attending a bipolar specialty clinic and treated with topiramate were identified by chart review, and data were harvested from systematic prospective assessments used routinely in the clinic. Fourteen patients who received topiramate for an average of 22.4 weeks were identified. All but one of these patients were considered to be highly refractory to standard treatment and 13 met the criteria for at least one comorbid psychiatric condition. Nine of these patients (64%) experienced an increased level of functioning and decrease in symptom severity during treatment with adjunctive topiramate. Eleven patients remained on treatment for longer than 2 weeks. Eight of these patients (73%) experienced a significant improvement in their comorbid conditions. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of > or = 28 (n = 4) experienced a mean weight loss of 29.7 lb while on topiramate. Topiramate appears to be a promising agent for the treatment of bipolar disorder associated with comorbid psychiatric conditions and obesity.

Specific side effects of long-term imipramine management of panic disorder

In a recent study, the authors suggested that tachycardia, dry mouth, and sweating continued to burden patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia who have shown marked and stable response to 6 months of imipramine treatment at the fixed, weight-adjusted dose of 2.25 mg/kg/day. Although sexual dysfunction and weight gain were not a significant burden in that study, they are important problems in long-term treatment with antidepressant drugs. In the present study, in the context of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1-year discontinuation and maintenance study of 53 patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia who respond to imipramine, the authors examine the extent and the specificity of these five side effects of imipramine maintenance using data at pretreatment, at the end of 24 weeks of open imipramine treatment (or month 0 of randomization), and at months 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 of randomized treatment. Hierarchical linear modeling and repeated measures of analyses of variance in subsamples of completers confirmed that dry mouth, sweating, and increased heart rate constitute a significant and specific enduring burden of imipramine maintenance treatment. The data also revealed that weight gain is a significant and specific side effect of 1-year imipramine maintenance treatment; however, the likelihood of reporting sexual dysfunction decreased over time, with no difference between the placebo and imipramine maintenance conditions. The results are discussed in the context of previous studies of imipramine side effects in the management of depression and the available literature of sexual and weight side effects of antidepressant medications in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Bodyweight gain associated with atypical antipsychotics: epidemiology and therapeutic implications

Atypical antipsychotic medications are associated with different adverse effects and efficacy profiles compared with conventional antipsychotics (i.e. less extrapyramidal symptoms, improved-efficacy against negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, and most often a greater ability to improve patients' quality of life). However, the atypical antipsychotics may be associated with clinically significant bodyweight gain, increasing the risk of medical comorbidity, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidaemia. This literature review assesses the various bodyweight gain liabilities associated with atypical antipsychotics, as well as the effects of bodyweight gain on quality of life. The issue of prevention and management of this often neglected adverse effect is also examined. Most studies reviewed indicate that clozapine and olanzapine are associated with more bodyweight gain than the other atypical antipsychotics. There are potential factors that place certain patients at greater risk for bodyweight gain, including low pretreatment body mass index, young age and being of female gender. Furthermore, bodyweight gain associated with the use of atypical antipsychotics has been reported to be associated with clinical improvement, although this has not been substantiated widely. It is unclear whether increased medical comorbidity, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and/or elevated triglyceride levels, is secondary to the bodyweight gain associated with atypical antipsychotics, or the result of the agents themselves. A patient's quality of life may be greatly affected by excessive bodyweight gain; either by increased comorbid medical illness, an increased relapse rate associated with noncompliance, or the social stigma associated with being obese. However, most studies reveal that treatment with atypical antipsychotic medications is associated with improved quality of life compared with that achieved with conventional antipsychotic medications. Because bodyweight is an important health risk associated with atypical antipsychotics, prevention and effective management of bodyweight are paramount in preventing comorbid medical illness, relapse and possible noncompliance.

Pharmacology of antidepressants

Presently in the United States, 21 compounds have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as antidepressants. Two additional drugs marketed outside the United States as antidepressants have been approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nearly one half of all these compounds became available within the past 12 years, whereas the first antidepressant was available more than 40 years ago. After the clinical aspects of depression are introduced in this article, the pharmacology of the newer generation drugs is reviewed in relationship to the older compounds. The information in this review will help clinicians treat acute depression with pharmacological agents.

Weight gain from novel antipsychotic drugs: need for action

Obesity is common in schizophrenia, and people with schizophrenia appear to be at increased risk for certain obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Antipsychotic drugs, used chronically to control symptoms of schizophrenia, are associated with often-substantial weight gain, a side effect that is a special concern with the latest generation of highly effective "novel" agents. That the most effective (e.g., novel) antipsychotic medications lead to substantial weight gain presents the field with a critical public health problem. Although preliminary data have been reported regarding the beneficial use of behavior therapy programs for short-term weight control in patients with schizophrenia, the available data are quite limited, and there are no data regarding the long-term beneficial effects of these programs in this population. The obesity field recently has developed programs emphasizing "lifestyle changes" (e.g., diet, exercise, and problem-solving skills) to successfully manage weight in patients without schizophrenia. Such programs can be adapted for patients with schizophrenia through the use of highly structured and operationalized modules emphasizing medication compliance, social skills development, and participation in outpatient programs. Moreover, these programs can potentially be combined with the use of adjunctive pharmacotherapy to maximize and maintain weight loss. The field must solve the paradox that some of our most effective medications for schizophrenia produce substantial weight gain and its associated troubling health risks.