Gender differences in metabolic monitoring of second-generation antipsychotic prescription.

Objective: To explore whether guidelines for metabolic monitoring of patients receiving second-generation antipsychotics (SGAP) are respected in clinical practice, and whether patients' and prescribers' characteristics are associated with adequacy of metabolic monitoring.

Methods: Survey questionnaires were mailed to all state hospital psychiatrists practising in South-Western France. Psychiatrists were asked to give information on the baseline metabolic screening of the last patient seen with first prescription of a SGAP. Adequacy of metabolic monitoring was assessed according to published guidelines.

Results: No metabolic parameter was assessed before SGAP onset in more than one out of four patients, and fewer than 5% had a complete baseline assessment of metabolic parameters. The number of parameters assessed was markedly lower in women compared to men.

Conclusions: Efforts should focus on initial training as well as on continuing medical education in order to improve level of awareness about the need for adequate baseline screening monitoring, and about the fact that women treated with SGAP are also at risk of metabolic disturbances.