Monitoring Rates for Metabolic Syndrome in Adults Treated With Atypical Antipsychotics: A Population-Based Study in British Columbia: Fréquence de la surveillance du syndrome métabolique chez les adultes traités par des antipsychotiques atypiques : étude fondée sur la population menée en Colombie-Britannique

PURPOSE: We examine the rate of recommended screening and monitoring practices for detecting metabolic changes following treatment with atypical antipsychotics, comparing data from the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods. We also compared the characteristics of adults who undergo screening tests with those who did not to identify underserved populations. METHOD: We use population-based administrative data from British Columbia, Canada, between 2018 and 2023 to describe the characteristics of adults who received or did not receive the laboratory test within recommended timeframes. To identify baseline screening tests, the cohort was stratified into antipsychotic-naïve and non-naïve groups. We describe the number and percentage of each lab test completed by patients, and the specialty of the ordering provider across different periods. RESULTS: Over one-third of the population did not receive any recommended screening tests, and less than 15 per cent received baseline screening. Young adults aged 19 and 34 years were the least likely to undergo metabolic monitoring. Being older, having a greater number of chronic conditions, more primary care visits, and visits with the same provider resulted in better metabolic monitoring. Most screening tests were ordered by family physicians. Overall, screening practices worsened slightly in the post-pandemic period. CONCLUSION: Metabolic monitoring following treatment with atypical antipsychotics was lowest among young adults and adults newly initiated on atypical antipsychotics. Frequent primary care visits and continuity with the same providers resulted in improved screening.