Yale Bulletin and Calendar

June 27, 2003|Volume 31, Number 32|Four-Week Issue



BULLETIN HOME

VISITING ON CAMPUS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

IN THE NEWS

BULLETIN BOARD

CLASSIFIED ADS


SEARCH ARCHIVES

DEADLINES

BULLETIN STAFF


PUBLIC AFFAIRS HOME

NEWS RELEASES

E-MAIL US


YALE HOME PAGE


Antipsychotic drug may increase risk of diabetes

Hyperglycemia, which is often a prelude to diabetes, is common in patients taking the antipsychotic drug clozapine, according to Michael Sernyak, associate professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine.

In an article published in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Sernyak said 23% of 121 patients who were not previously diagnosed as diabetic and who were taking clozapine had elevated sugar. The patients were at Veterans Administration medical centers throughout New England.

Clozapine is what is known as an atypical antipsychotic drug because it is associated with fewer of the side effects -- such as stiffness, restlessness and symptoms mimicking Parkinson's disease -- than previously offered medications. However, there have been several reports of hyperglycemia and diabetes associated with clozapine use.

"Given this proportion of positive findings, we suggest that patients receiving clozapine should be considered a group at high risk to develop diabetes mellitus and that they deserve both close monitoring and early intervention at the first sign of the onset of either diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance," Sernyak says.

The American Diabetes Association estimates 50% of patients with Type II diabetes are undiagnosed. The outcomes for patients who remain undiagnosed are worse than for patients who are aware of the condition and are taking steps to treat it.

"We expected the ratio to be worse with our patients because they frequently do not receive medical care," Sernyak says.

Co-authors included Dr. Barbara Gulanski, assistant professor of internal medicine in endocrinology; Douglas Leslie, assistant professor of psychiatry and in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH), and Dr. Robert Rosenheck, professor of psychiatry and in EPH.

The research was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

-- By Jacqueline Weaver


T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Faculty win Blue Planet Prize; second Yale win in two years

Renowned neurosurgeon named acting dean of Medical School

High school students sample university life

City youths learn the fine art of playwriting

Changes in cloud elevation may affect Northeastern forests . . .

Students' winning house design parts with tradition

Summer music flourished under pianist's direction

MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS

Yale artist's painting wins award from National Academy of Art

Two faculty members elected into renowned society

Yale Glee Club has named its newest director

ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES

Law professor Burke Marshall dies . . .

Thomas Greene, renowned literary scholar, dies at age 77

Leonard Kaplow dies; renowned pathologist

Symposium honors Shulman's work with NMR

Yale Books in Brief

Campus Notes


Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News

Bulletin Board|Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines

Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page