Release date: October 31, 2007
Available for credit through: October 31, 2008

Program Description:

Clinicians need to carefully consider the overall impact of weight gain, associated metabolic issues, and endocrine abnormalities associated with antipsychotic treatment.  Generally, second-generation antipsychotics are being considered as a medication class.  Most likely, if dosed appropriately, considering these medications as a group applies to a comparable efficacy spectrum regarding psychosis and mania, with the exception of clozapine in refractory patients.  However, there has been a growing awareness that second-generation antipsychotics differ considerably regarding their potential to cause weight gain and metabolic and endocrine abnormalities that can have considerable impact on long-term psychological and physical health.  Several recent epidemiological studies have documented a sharp increase in the prescription of second-generation antipsychotics for children and adolescents with psychotic and non-psychotic conditions.  This is of potential concern, as emerging data suggests that youngsters may be at increased risk for age-inappropriate weight gain and adverse metabolic and endocrine outcomes.  A thorough understanding of the different adverse effect profiles of second-generation antipsychotic agents is required to effectively manage the mental and physical health of this vulnerable patient population.

Target Audience:

Physicians, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Healthcare Providers who care for patients with chronic mental illness

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the prevalence and impact of metabolic and endocrine abnormalities in psychiatrically ill youth on physical health, psychological well-being, and treatment adherence
2. Review the effect of different atypical antipsychotic medications on weight, related metabolic indices and endocrine parameters in youth
3. Recognize risk and protective factors for metabolic and endocrine outcomes in antipsychotic-treated youth
4. Describe the adequate monitoring and intervention strategies to minimize anthropometric and metabolic side effects associated with atypical antipsychotics during development

Accreditation

Category I Continuing Medical Education
The Semel Institute at UCLA is accredited by the Institute of Medical Quality and the California Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  The Semel Institute at UCLA takes responsibility for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

The Semel Institute at UCLA designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 hour of Category 1 credit toward the California Medical Association’s Certification in Continuing Medical Education and the AMA’s Physician Recognition Award™.  Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

Disclaimer:

©2007 ArcMesa Educators, LLC / CMEdiscovery.com. All rights reserved. None of the contents may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from ArcMesa Educators, LLC.

The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty. They do not reflect the views of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, any other manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, the Semel Institute at UCLA, or ArcMesa Educators, LLC.

The recommendations made in this program are based upon a combination of randomized clinical trials, current guidelines, and the clinical practice experience of the participating panelists. Any medications, diagnostic procedures or treatments discussed by the panelists should not be utilized without evaluation of their patient's conditions. Participants are urged to consult the full prescribing information on any drug mentioned in this activity for recommended dosage, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse effects before prescribing any medication.

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