The use of second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) treatments in psychosis has been associated with metabolic changes. However, there are differences in metabolic profile between SGAs. In a previous study conducted in our sample of first episode psychosis patients, we observed that the ziprasidone had a more benign metabolic profile compare to aripiprazole and quetiapine, at short-term (12 weeks). However, to detect clinically-relevant impairment in metabolic parameters a long-term follow-up is preferred.

The aim of this study was to investigate if the differentiated metabolic profile of aripiprazole, ziprasidone and quetiapine observed at short-term is maintained after 1 year of treatment in a sample of drug-naïve patients with a first episode of psychosis.

One hundred and sixty-eight, drug-naïve patients, suffering from a non-affective first episode of psychosis, were included in the present study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive quetiapine, ziprasidone or aripiprazole. Weight and glucemic/lipid parameters were recorded at baseline and after 1 year of treatment. Other clinical and socio-demographic variables were recorded to eliminate potential confounding effects.

No significant differences between antipsychotic groups (all F < 2.61; P > 0.05) were found in any of the metabolic parameters studied after one year of treatment.

Despite the metabolic profile differences observed at short-term in our previous studies, we did not find significant differences in the metabolic and weight parameters studied between treatment groups after one year of treatment, concluding that they present similar metabolic profiles at long-term. Other clinical individual interventions (e.g.: diet, exercise), not here controlled, may have influenced possible differences in long-term metabolic outcomes.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.