Objective: To assess, among clozapine users, the rates of monitoring, presence and treatment of metabolic syndrome and its components.
Methods: A chart review was conducted of all clozapine users who were followed up in community mental health clinics at two Metro South Health Hospitals over a 1-year period. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria.
Results: We included 251 clozapine users. Only 43.4% (109/251) had data collected for all five metabolic syndrome parameters. Among these people, 45.0% (49/109) met criteria for metabolic syndrome, while 61.2% (30/49) of those with metabolic syndrome were offered appropriate treatments. Correspondence with primary care providers occurred in only 18.7% ( n = 47). Non-pharmacological interventions, such as motivational interviewing and education about healthy lifestyle alternatives, occurred in 49.8% ( n = 125).
Conclusions: There is growing awareness of the importance of metabolic monitoring, however, there remain specific gaps in the collaborative work among mental health services, primary care providers and clozapine users, to ensure appropriate physical health interventions.
Keywords: antipsychotic; clozapine; metabolic monitoring; metabolic syndrome; psychosis.