Triglyceride, cholesterol and weight changes among risperidone-treated youths. A retrospective study

The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to assess triglyceride, cholesterol and weight changes among risperidone-treated youths. The charts of 22 child and adolescent inpatients were abstracted. The sample's mean (+/- SD) age was 12.8 (+/- 2.6) years, daily risperidone dose 2.7 (+/- 2.2) mg, and average length of exposure 4.9 (+/- 1.0) months. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed statistically and clinically significant weight gain averaging 7.0 (+/- 4.7) kg (95% confidence interval [CI] for the mean = 4.9,9.1; F = 49.421, df = 1,21, p < 0.001). No significant changes in serum triglyceride or cholesterol levels were seen in the group as a whole. Triglyceride levels and weight were strongly correlated with each other: almost 25% of the variance in triglyceride level changes could be explained by weight gain alone (R2 = 0.22, F = 5.526, p = 0.029), although such association weakened when excluding subjects (N=5) concurrently treated with lithium or divalproex (R2 = 0.06, p > 0.05). On the basis of this preliminary report it seems prudent to be clinically vigilant and conservative, recommending regular laboratory monitoring until a clearer picture emerges regarding lipid dysregulation associated with risperidone and other atypical antipsychotic use in children and adolescents.

Domains of social communication handicap in autism spectrum disorder

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether specific "social communication" handicaps could be identified in autism spectrum disorder using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and to compare the results with those found in a previous factor-analysis study using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised.

METHOD

All subjects were evaluated with both instruments. J.R. and P.E.T. independently diagnosed autism, Asperger's disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder--not otherwise specified in 51 children. Items from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule that represented social communication behaviors were factor-analyzed.

RESULTS

Three factors were identified: joint attention, affective reciprocity, and theory of mind. These are the same social communication domains that were identified in the previous study.

CONCLUSIONS

These 3 social communication domains have been discussed in the literature regarding normal development and in previous research on autism spectrum disorders. If these domains are replicated in larger sample sizes, they could be used to monitor the results of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions in autism spectrum disorders.

Untreated scoliosis in the adult

Untreated scoliosis affects the quality of life and is a disabling disease in the adult. Most patients can expect back pain, particularly after the age of 30, and one in 4 may be disabled by it. The majority of adults are embarassed by their deformity. Women, in particular, are less likely to marry. Surgical treatment of the adult is difficult and hazardous, and is associated with socioeconomic problems not encountered in the adolescent. Scoliosis should be treated definitively before the end of the period of growth.