Triglyceride, cholesterol and weight changes among risperidone-treated youths: A retrospective study

The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to assess triglyceride, cholesterol and weight changes among risperidone-treated youths. The charts of 22 child and adolescent inpatients were abstracted. The sample's mean (±SD) age was 12.8 (±2.6) years, daily risperidone dose 2.7 (±2.2) mg, and average length of exposure 4.9 (±1.0) months. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed statistically and clinically significant weight gain averaging 7.0 (±4.7) kg (95 % confidence interval [CI] for the mean=4.9, 9.1; F=49.421, df=1,21,p < 0.001). No significant changes in serum triglyceride or cholesterol levels were seen in the group as a whole. Triglyceride levels and weight were strongly correlated with each other: almost 25% of the variance in triglyceride level changes could be explained by weight gain alone (R²=0.22, F=5.526,p=0.029), although such association weakened when excluding subjects (N=5) concurrently treated with lithium or divalproex (R²=0.06, p > 0.05). On the basis of this preliminary report it seems prudent to be clinically vigilant and conservative, recommending regular laboratory monitoring until a clearer picture emerges regarding lipid dysregulation associated with risperidone and other atypical antipsychotic use in children and adolescents.