Aripiprazole in young people with early psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of weight gain

Objective: Aripiprazole is often prescribed to young people, although there remain unanswered questions about its effects on weight gain. This study undertook a meta-analysis of weight gain occurring in young people with early psychosis who were prescribed aripiprazole. Method: A systematic search was conducted for studies reporting on aripiprazole and weight change in young people with a psychotic disorder. A meta-analysis integrated the data into an estimate of effect size. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria amounting to 886 participants (mean age 18 years). The results showed significant weight gain averaging 2.7 kg. These increases were associated with a longer duration of exposure to aripiprazole but not a higher dosage. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of regular patient monitoring and the early implementation of interventions to manage antipsychotic-related weight gain.

Determination of Menarche Age of Students in Adolescence and Affecting Factors

The study was conducted as descriptive-sectional to investigate the age of menarche and the influencing factors of female students studying in the preparatory class of a state university. The universe of this research was the female students between February 2014-May 2015 in school of foreign languages at a state university. The study was held with all universe instead of sampling selection. 738 female students were voluntary participated into the study. Data were collected by the survey form. The menarche age of the participants is 13,3±1,12 (10-17) years old, and there is statistically significance between menarche age and body mass index (p<.001). The other statistically significance was available between menstrual period and weight change (p<.05). It has been found that the menarche age decreases as the students’ weight and BMI increases and the duration of the menstruation cycle increases. Factors affecting students’ menstruation order were investigated and it was determined that only weight change affects menstruation order. In the study, significant results were found between body mass index and age of menarche.