Importance: The problems of side effects of metabolic disturbances in schizophrenic patients have been of worldwide concern for some time. Patients with dyslipidemia have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. A Chinese herb, Hawthorn, is widely used for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Hawthorn on lipid profile levels in schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics. Design, Setting, and Participants: A longitudinal case-control study was used in a general hospital in Taiwan. A total of 59 schizophrenics treated with antipsychotics, and 76 healthy adult subjects, who were all hospital workers, were enrolled in this study. Main outcomes and measures: All participants received Hawthorn at a dose of 3 gm/day for six months.
The problem of metabolic disturbances in schizophrenic patients who take antipsychotics has always been a cause for global concern and discussion. Although Hawthorn is widely used in the treatment of heart problems and the lowering of blood lipid levels, it is unknown whether Hawthorn has an effect in schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics. Hence, there are several areas of interest in the present study: 1) the effect of Hawthorn on lipid profile levels in schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotics; 2) a comparison of lipid profile levels between schizophrenic patients and healthy adults; 3) the contributing factors that relate to changes in lipid profile levels in patients who take Hawthorn.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
135
lipid profiles
lipid profiles (including TC, TG, HDL, LDL) were collected three times (at first week, 12th week and 24th week. Total collecting day were three days.
Time frame: three days
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