The Positive Correlation between Insulin Resistance and Duration of Hospitalization in Untreated Schizophrenia

Abstract

Various abnormalities have been demonstrated in schizophrenic patients in response to injected insulin. Thomaset al.(22), Harris (8), Freemanet al.(7), Mayer-Gross (10), and Bracelandet al.(4) have shown a delayed or decreased response of blood glucose to insulin in schizophrenic patients. Meduna and McCulloch (11) observed that those schizophrenic patients who suffered from confusion and clouding of the sensorium particularly displayed a delayed or decreased response to injected insulin as well as a urinary hyperglycaemic factor and decreased tolerance to oral and intravenous glucose. Subsequent studies by Mueller (12, 13) demonstrated a rise or lack of fall in the plasma free fatty acids (FFA) following the administration of insulin intramuscularly or intravenously in chronic schizophrenic patients. Van Sickleet al.(23) confirmed these findings of insulin resistance in chronic schizophrenia and noted that this low FFA response was neither related to an abnormal release of, nor response to, epinephrine.