Prevalence of diabetes mellitus among outpatients with severe mental disorders receiving atypical antipsychotic drugs.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that patients receiving atypical antipsychotic drugs are at increased risk for developing diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of diabetes in a group of adults with schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders receiving atypical antipsychotic drugs within a community mental health center setting.

Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 436 outpatients receiving either atypical antipsychotic or decanoate antipsychotic drugs at a community mental health center.