- Title:
First-generation antipsychotics and QTc: any role for mediating variables?
- Document type:
- Journal Article
- Author(s):
- Carrà, Giuseppe; Crocamo, Cristina; Bartoli, Francesco; Lax, Annamaria; Tremolada, Martina; Lucii, Claudio; Martinotti, Giovanni; Nosè, Michela; Bighelli, Irene; Ostuzzi, Giovanni; Castellazzi, Mariasole; Clerici, Massimo; Barbui, Corrado
- Abstract:
- Corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation is often associated with use of first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs). However, other factors require appropriate consideration, including age and gender, the role of other known medications associated with QTc prolongation, and severe comorbid conditions, such as co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence. We aimed to study potential mediating roles of different, related, candidate variables on QTc.We capitalized on data from a large (N = 2366), cross-sectional, national survey, the STAR Network QTc study, using a representative sample of people taking FGAs, and recruited from mental health services across Italy.About one-third of the sample was treated with FGAs, and almost one-tenth of the subjects took a different, additional, drug known to cause QTc prolongation. Our findings confirmed that there is an impact from FGAs, age, gender, alcohol misuse, and concurrent risky drugs on QTc. However, comorbid alcohol abuse/dependence and concurrent risky drugs did not mediate the effect of FGAs on QTc.Our findings showed that FGAs, concurrent risky drugs, and alcohol use disorders prolonged QTc. FGAs had a direct effect on QTc, confirming the need for clinicians to monitor a risk that could lead to sudden unexplained death. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Journal title abbreviation:
- Hum Psychopharmacol
- Year:
- 2016
- Journal volume:
- 31
- Journal issue:
- 4
- Pages contribution:
- 313-8
- Language:
- eng
- Fulltext / DOI:
- doi:10.1002/hup.2540
- Pubmed ID:
- http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27245736
- Print-ISSN:
- 0885-6222
- TUM Institution:
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
- BibTeX