Introduction and Objectives: Psychotropic drugs may cause weight gain. Overweight and obesity are associated with cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of significant weight gain (at least 7% increase in weight) within 6-8 months among patients on psychotropic drugs and the contributing factors. Methods: A retrospective record review of patients attending Psychiatric Clinic, Hospital Seri Manjung from March-November 2017 was conducted. Records of patients prescribed with psychotropic drug(s) for at least 6 months were reviewed in 2017. Data on socio-demography, co-morbidities, height, weight (6-8 months prior), current weight, diagnosis, psychotropic drugs initiation date and type were recorded using a data collection form. Results: Data of 388 patients was analysed. Percentage of patients with significant weight gain was 12.1%. Female patients had nearly 3-fold odds of significant weight gain (OR=2.78; 95% CI: 1.39, 5.56; p=0.003) than male. Chinese patients were twice less likely of having significant weight gain (OR=0.43; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.90; p=0.025) than Malays. Patients on atypical antipsychotics had 2.5-fold odds of having significant weight gain. (OR=2.52; 95% CI: 1.27, 5.00; p=0.007). Underweight patients had 3-fold odds of having significant weight gain than patients with normal BMI (OR=3.33; 95% CI: 1.32, 8.39; p=0.011). Overweight and obese patients had lower odds of significant weight gain. Discussion/conclusion: The prevalence of patients on psychotropic drugs with significant weight gain within 6-8 months (12.1%), was in line with the standard key performance indicator (KPI) set by Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia of < 20%. Female gender, Malay ethnicity, atypical antipsychotics and lower baseline BMI increased the likelihood of significant weight gain within 6-8 months among patients on psychotropic drugs. Other studies also found higher prevalence of obesity among the female schizophrenic patients. Genetic polymorphisms, different dietary habits, lifestyle and environment explain the different likelihood of significant weight gain across races. It was well established that antipsychotics, particularly atypical antipsychotics was linked to weight gain. Each kg increase in weight represents a higher increase in percentage for underweight individuals as compared to obese individuals. [Disclaimer: Abstract text might vary slightly from what is displayed in the e-poster]

This poster was submitted to the 14th National Conference for Clinical Research (NCCR) on August 18-20 2021. https://nccrconference.com.my/