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

Abstract

Twenty-two chronic schizophrenic and 8 non-psychotic inpatients were studied for their glucose, FFA, and HGH responses to exogenous insulin by the standard intravenous insulin tolerance test (ITT) with dietary controls. The chronic schizophrenic patients were divided into three groups: 10 patients receiving psychotherapy and drug treatment (SCZ-PD), 5 patients receiving psychotherapy alone (SCZ-P), and 7 patients receiving no treatment (SCZ-O). Significant insulin resistance was noted in the SCZ-O and SCZ-P groups as measured by glucose, FFA, or HGH responses. Highly significant correlations were noted between the duration of hospitalization and both the glucose and FFA response to the ITT. The drug-treated patients failed to show such a relationship. The similarity of insulin resistance between chronic schizophrenic and severely depressed untreated inpatients is pointed out. Finally, the low HGH fasting levels and the decreased HGH response to the ITT of the SCZ-O patients resemble that of emotionally deprived children described by others. The hypothesis is presented that chronic, long-term hospitalization may produce isolation and hopelessness which in turn leads to insulin resistance. The insensitivity to insulin not only may lead to serious long-term sequelae but also may be successfully alleviated with medication.