Factors influencing weight gain in an Asian population of psychiatric inpatients: a retrospective study in Taiwan.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with weight gain by psychiatric inpatients in short-term treatment.

METHODS

A total of 378 medical records were reviewed, and sociodemographic, clinical, and baseline biochemical data from 221 psychiatric inpatients were analyzed.

RESULTS

Evaluation of baseline characteristics indicated that the following were significant predictors of weight gain: Axis I diagnosis, treatment with second-generation antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, length of stay, admission body weight, low-density lipoprotein value, triglyceride level, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the independent predictors of weight gain were length of stay and taking both a second-generation antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer. The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio was an influencing factor inversely associated with weight gain (P = 0.063).

DISCUSSION: Length of hospitalization and polypharmacy strongly predicted weight gain among psychiatric inpatients receiving short-term treatment.