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Metformin in the management of antipsychotic-induced weight gain in adults with psychosis: development of the first evidence-based guideline using GRADE methodology

Fitzgerald I, O'Connell J, Keating D, Hynes C, McWilliams S, Crowley EK

Evidence-based mental health, 2022

53 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adjunctive metformin is the most well-studied intervention in the pharmacological management of antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG). Although a relatively unaddressed area, among guidelines recommending consideration of metformin, prescribing information that would facilitate its applied use by clinicians, for example, provision of a dose titration schedule is absent. Moreover, recommendations differ regarding metformin's place in the hierarchy of management options. Both represent significant barriers to the applied, evidence-based use of metformin for this indication.

OBJECTIVE: To produce a guideline solely dedicated to the optimised use of metformin in AIWG management, using internationally endorsed guideline methodology.

METHODS: A list of guideline key health questions (KHQs) was produced. It was agreed that individual recommendations would be 'adopted or adapted' from current guidelines and/or developed de novo, in the case of unanswered questions. A systematic literature review (2008-2020) was undertaken to identify published guidelines and supporting (or more recent) research evidence. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II tool, A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) assessment,and the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, where appropriate. Assessment of evidence certainty and recommendation development was undertaken using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and…

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