Magnesium Variations and Cardiometabolic Risk in Patients With Antipsychotic Drugs

Background: Antipsychotics can induce metabolic disorders such as obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia or metabolic syndrome. It has been observed that treatment with antipsychotic could be accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of serum magnesium. Low serum concentrations of magnesium are potentially a risk factor of cardiac sudden death (Peacock, 2010). Hypotheses linking magnesium and pathogenesis of cardiovacuscular diseases are multiple. Also, it seems to exist a close relationship between magnesium and carbohydrate metabolism. Most studies on the subject have generally studied plasmatic magnesium.

Objective : Describe the relationship between changes in serum and intra-erythrocyte magnesium and cardiometabolic risk in patients innitiating an antipsychotic treatment. A secondary objective is to specify the frequency, magnitude and time to onset of changes in plasma of magnesium levels under antipsychotic treatment.

Methods : This is a pilot single-center prospective cohort. After inclusion, patients status (including magnesium levels) will be evaluated (1 and 3 months of treatment) and that status will define the exposure criterion. Included patients will be followed for 1 year during which cardiometabolic markers will be measured.

Population : patients who are more than 18 years old with schizophrenia schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder, naive to antipsychotic treatment or off for more than 3 months and requiring the introduction of antipsychotic drug therapy. Patients will be recruited during consultations and stays in care units of Adult Psychiatry Unit of Montpellier University Hospital.

Factor studied: serum and intra-erythrocytic magnesium levels at beginning and during the antipsychotic treatment measured by a unique analyzer center. Changes in levels of hypomagnesemia expected during the treatment will determine exposure groups.

Outcome: cardiometabolic risk markers measured at the beginning and during the treatment will be fasting blood glucose, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR [Ins (uU / mL) x Gly (mmol / L) / 22.5], lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL), BMI, waist circumference and ECG (QTc).

Cofactors: age, sex, personal and family medical history, blood pressure, smoking, diet, physical activity, psychiatric disease, Global Impressions, anti-psychotic treatment and comedications.

Perspectives : to show that decreased in magnesium levels observed among patients starting antipsychotic treatment is associated with deterioration of cardiometabolic risk markers. The demonstration of this association could explain at least part the increased cardiovascular risk observed in this population. In the longer term, the results of this study would argue the implementation of an intervention research project studying magnesium supplementation to minimize the metabolic effects of antipsychotic medications.