Has Clozapine link to Schizophrenia patient's weight gain?

by

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION1

1.1Purpose of the Chapter1

1.2Background1

1.3Rationale5

1.4Research Question5

1.5Aim5

1.6Objectives6

CHAPTER 2 METHODS7

2.1 Purpose of the Chapter7

2.2 Literature Review7

2.3 Critical Appraisal Tools7

2.4 Literature Search8

2.5 Inclusion and Exclusion-Criteria10

2.6 Outcome of the Literature Research10

CHAPTER 3 FINDINGS12

3.1 Purpose of this Chapter12

3.2 Critical Appraisal of Articles12

CHAPTER 4 DISCUSSION17

4.1 Purpose of This Chapter17

4.2 Discussion17

4.3 Implications for Future Practice and Research23

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION25

REFERENCES26

APPENDIX29

Article Summary Table29

Flow Chart of Systematic Review Inclusion and Exclusion35

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My thanks go out to all who have helped me complete this study and with whom this project may have not been possible. In particular, my gratitude goes out to friends, facilitator and family for extensive and helpful comments on early drafts. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who have shared my interest and preceded me. Their works provided me with a host of information to learn from and build upon, also served as examples to emulate.

ABSTRACT

This paper highlights the impact of Clozapine, which is anti psychotic drug which can be used to treat schizophrenia patients. Some of its many side effects include increase to patient appetite and weight gain. This paper describes the causes of weight gain in patients because of Clozapine. This literature review would ideally help nurses to keep informed and to improve the care they provide to schizophrenia patients. This dissertation introduces the concept of Clozapine and links it to Schizophrenia Patients Weight Gain. Clozapine possesses a much broader pharmacological profile than typical antipsychotics. It has a relatively weak affinity for the D2 receptor, which may partially explain its smaller propensity to induce extra-pyramidal symptoms and tardive dyskinesia than typical anti psychotics. Its actions on the serotonergic, adrenergic, histaminergic, and muscarinic transmitter systems also allows for the amelioration of negative symptoms. Unfortunately, this broader profile also elicits other serious side effects, such as agranulocytosis and significant weight gain. Furthermore, antipsychotic-induced weight gain is a major reason for non-compliance with treatment. However, some studies suggest that weight gain is a necessary side effect of atypical-antipsychotic treatment and may even be positively correlated to symptom amelioration. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that clozapine and risperidone are similarly efficacious for a group of relatively refractory psychiatric inpatients. The findings of this study indicate that weight gain has been observed in Schizophrenia patients by the use of Clozapine.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Purpose of the Chapter

This chapter introduces the concept of Clozapine and links it to Schizophrenia Patients Weight Gain. The rationale for this topic, the research question, aims and objectives of this literature review will be presented.

Background

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that affects about 1% of people worldwide. The disorder is characterized by a mixture of symptoms affecting an individual's attention, concentration, cognition, perception and mood. These chronic symptoms lead to deterioration of psychosocial functioning. Symptoms are clinically divided into positive symptoms (e.g., delusions and hallucinations) and negative symptoms (e.g. avoidance, anhedonia, and social withdrawal). The development of symptoms is thought to be based on underlying genetic factors that create defective connectivity ...