Efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of antipsychotic-related weight gain and metabolic abnormalities : a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Antipsychotic treatment (AP) is associated with metabolic abnormalities including weight gain. Targeting AP-associated weight gain, several pharmacological interventions have been investigated. Nevertheless, there is barely evidence for comparative efficacy and acceptability of these interventions. In this study, we will systematically review evidence for weight loss reducing agents in AP-medicated patients and compare outcomes of interventions in terms of efficacy and acceptability. Only blinded, randomized controlled studies of adjunctive agents for weight loss reduction in AP-medicated patients will be included. Pooled data will be analysed using a network meta-analysis. The primary outcomes will be measured as the mean difference for weight change and as odds ratio for treatment discontinuations due to any cause. Further analyses will encompass an additive model to evaluate the influence of components such as lifestyle counselling, exercise and diet. Subgroup, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses will focus on the impact of factors such as age, sex, body mass index, AP dose and type of AP. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal