A prospective study of glucose homeostasis in quetiapine-treated schizophrenic patients by using the intravenous glucose tolerance test

Increasing attention has been paid recently to the potential diabetogenic effect of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of quetiapine treatment on pancreatic beta-cell function in SGA-naïve schizophrenic patients. Seventeen schizophrenic subjects completed an eight-week trial. The metabolic parameters were assessed at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8. We measured glucose homeostasis with the intravenous glucose tolerance test. After the eight-week treatment, body weight and body mass index showed to be significantly increased compared to those at baseline. No significant changes were found in serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein. Insulin resistance and insulin secretion were significantly increased. Incidences of clinically significant weight gain and treatment-emergent metabolic syndrome were 11.8% and 11.8%, respectively. This study result confirms the association of quetiapine treatment and impairment of glucose homeostasis in schizophrenic patients.

Research highlights
► Increases in insulin resistance and insulin secretion after 8-week quetiapine trial.
► Incidences for weight gain and metabolic syndrome were 11.8% and 11.8%, respectively.
► Quetiapine treatment leads to impaired glucose homeostasis.