Resumen

Body weight changes associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: A retrospective cohort in a Mexican psychiatric population

VOLUMEN 5 - NÚMERO 3 / Julio-Septiembre (Artículos originales / Original articles)

Elena R. Atkinson, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Investigaciones Clínicas/Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz National Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Research, Mexico City
Carlos Berlanga, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Investigaciones Clínicas/Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz National Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Research, Mexico City

Context: Conflicting theories exist as to whether treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) is related to weight changes. Even among those authors arguing a causal effect, it is not clear whether weight changes are caused by pharmaceutical mechanisms, changes in appetite characteristic of the disorders, or alterations in eating habits. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine which factors most contributed to body weight changes in outpatients in treatment with SSRIs. Methods: A retrospective cohort study with data from 572 outpatients was conducted in the Mexican National Institute of Psychiatry. Patients were divided into two groups: those who gained and those that maintained or lost weight during treatment. A logistic regression model was created to predict group membership. Results and Conclusions: The following variables resulted significant (p < 0.01): duration of treatment (weeks) OR = 1.027; paroxetine OR = 2.33; increased appetite OR = 3.29; and being overweight or obese at the beginning of the study OR = 0.60. This study demonstrated that, in a clinical setting, a combination of treatment duration, pharmaceutical mechanisms, symptoms, side effects, and baseline characteristics all contribute to weight changes in psychiatric patients undergoing SSRI treatment.

Palabras clave: Serotonin uptake inhibitors. Body weight changes. Paroxetine. Fluoxetine. Weight gain. Psychiatry.