Dora Kohen1. 1. Lancashire Postgraduate School of Medicine and Health, Psychiatric Department, Mental Health Management Block, Leigh Infirmary, Leigh WN7 1HS, UK. dorakohen@doctors.org.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although recent research has focused on the possible role of antipsychotic medications in the development of diabetes mellitus, studies conducted in the pre-neuroleptic era suggest that schizophrenia itself might predispose individuals to diabetes. AIMS: To test the hypothesis that diabetes mellitus is an integral part of schizophrenia. METHOD: Historical literature review. RESULTS: Many people with severe mental illnesses, including dementia praecox, showed abnormal responses to insulin and diabetes-like glucose tolerance curves long before the advent of phenothiazines. Early studies with chlorpromazine suggested that a latent tendency towards diabetes in patients with schizophrenia could be unmasked by this treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes and disturbed carbohydrate metabolism may be an integral part of schizophrenia. Further research is required to explain how metabolic factors, medications and lifestyle factors might precipitate diabetes in patients with this mental disorder.
BACKGROUND: Although recent research has focused on the possible role of antipsychotic medications in the development of diabetes mellitus, studies conducted in the pre-neuroleptic era suggest that schizophrenia itself might predispose individuals to diabetes. AIMS: To test the hypothesis that diabetes mellitus is an integral part of schizophrenia. METHOD: Historical literature review. RESULTS: Many people with severe mental illnesses, including dementia praecox, showed abnormal responses to insulin and diabetes-like glucose tolerance curves long before the advent of phenothiazines. Early studies with chlorpromazine suggested that a latent tendency towards diabetes in patients with schizophrenia could be unmasked by this treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Diabetes and disturbed carbohydrate metabolism may be an integral part of schizophrenia. Further research is required to explain how metabolic factors, medications and lifestyle factors might precipitate diabetes in patients with this mental disorder.
Authors: Melanie D Guenette; Margaret Hahn; Tony A Cohn; Celine Teo; Gary J Remington Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2013-01-24 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Sean A P Clouston; Katherine Jonas; Laura J Fochtmann; Evelyn J Bromet; Roman Kotov Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2020-06-18 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Alex J Mitchell; Davy Vancampfort; Kim Sweers; Ruud van Winkel; Weiping Yu; Marc De Hert Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2011-12-29 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Thomas R E Barnes; Carol Paton; Mary-Rose Cavanagh; Elizabeth Hancock; David M Taylor Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2007-05-04 Impact factor: 9.306