Metabolic Syndrome Identification in Patients Treated With Second-Generation Antipsychotic Medications

Abstract

The purpose of the current project was to assess missed opportunities to identify metabolic syndrome in patients treated with second-generation antipsychotic medication in a community hospital's inpatient psychiatric unit between January 1 and December 31, 2020. Data on demographics, metabolic syndrome risk factors, body mass index, medications, related diagnoses, and primary care providers (PCPs) were collected via retrospective chart review of 194 patients. This project used a nonexperimental design and heterogenous nonrandom convenience sample. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, one-tailed t tests, and binary logistic regression were used. The overall rate of metabolic syndrome was 47.4% ( n = 92). A positive PCP status was significant for treatment with antihypertensives, statins, and antihyperglycemics ( p < 0.05). Findings indicate the need to increase system-wide assessment of metabolic syndrome and integrate care coordination with PCPs. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60 (8), 11–18.]