Pharmacogenetics and Clinical Risk Factors for Risperidone-Related Weight Gain in Thai Autistic Spectrum Disorder Patients

Abstract

Background: Risperidone  produces  marked  adverse  effects  including  weight  gain  which  often  causes  patients  to discontinue the treatment. However, if patients continue to receive further treatment, increasing weight gain was found to increase a risk of clinically significant obesity and several health problems. Objective: To investigate the factors associated with risperidone-related weight gain in Thai autistic spectrum disorder patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective and observational study among Thai autistic patients treated with risperidone. The data collected included risperidone dose, sex, age, body weight and BMI baseline, concomitant drug therapy, duration of drug used, and phenotype/genotype of CYP2D6 responsible for body weight gain during risperidone therapy. Results: Univariate  analysis  showed  that  factors  affecting  the  body  weight  gain  among risperidone-treated Thai autistic patients were  duration of risperidone treatment (months) (P<0.0001), cumulative dose (P<0.0001), age (P=0.001) and BMI baseline (P<0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that factors affecting the body weight gain were duration of treatment (months) (P=0.011), baseline age (P=0.002) and age (P<0.0001). Conclusions: This study makes a preliminary contribution to provide opportunities for personalized medicine in the predictive assessment of weight gain and to minimize the risk for metabolic syndrome in risperidone-treated Thai patients.