Metabolic Issues With Atypical Antipsychotics in Primary Care: Dispelling the Myths.

BACKGROUND: Recently, much attention has been focused on the increased rate of metabolic syndrome componen ts among psychiatric patients, including glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and weight gain. Various reports have identified cases of newly diagnosed diabetes during treatment with atypical antipsychotic agents. However, the question remains whether there is a relationship between atypical antipsychotic use and the metabolic syndrome or whether there is a higher risk in this population irrespective of medication use.