Effect of Augmentation Therapy with Atypical Antipsychotics on Weight Gain of Major Depressive Inpatients: A Preliminary Study

Seo, Ho Jun; Jung, Young Eun; Kim, Sang Ha; Chae, Jeong Ho; Jun, Tae Youn; Kim, Kwang Soo; Bahk, Won Myong

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Few studies have investigated the effect of atypical antipsychotics augmentation with antidepressant in patients with depression. We monitored the weight of major depressive patients treated with either standard or atypical antipsychotic augmentation therapy in a closed ward.
METHODS
Patients with major depressive disorder were treated with atypical antipsychotic augmentation (AAP group) or antidepressants only (non-AAP group). The body weight of each patient was measured once per week, and the maximum weight gain was calculated during the study period. An increase of more than 5 kg or 7% over the initial body weight was used to determine the incidence of substantial weight gain (SWG), and the body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the chi-square test were used to compare the statistical significance of the differences in weight gain between the two groups.
RESULTS
The mean weight gain in the APP group (N=72) was 3.07+/-1.84 kg and that in the non-AAP group (N=103) was 1.66+/-1.88 kg. When weight gain was controlled with respect to some of the different variables between the two groups, the difference in mean weight gain was statistically significant (F=13.943, p<0.001), but the differences in SWG (F=0.013, p=0.573) and BMI (F=0.014, p=0.557) were not. However, when we compared the incidence of SWG, 20 patients (27.8%) from the AAP group, but only 13 patients (12.6%) from the larger non-AAP group, satisfied SWG criteria; this difference was statistically significant between the two groups (F=6.362, p=0.018).
CONCLUSION
Significant weight gain can occur in major depressive patients who are treated with atypical antipsychotic augmentation therapy, despite the use of relatively small doses and short treatment periods