Abstract
Background: Antipsychotic drugs are an important part of the treatment of irritability and aggression in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, significant weight gain and metabolic disturbances are clinically relevant side effects of antipsychotic use in children. In the SPACe study, we showed positive correlations between both risperidone and aripiprazole plasma trough concentrations and weight gain over a 6-month period. The trial SPACe 2: STAR is designed as a follow-up study, in which we aim to research whether therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical practice can prevent severe weight gain, while retaining clinical effectiveness. Methods: SPACe 2: STAR is an international, multicentre, randomised controlled trial (RCT). One hundred forty children aged 6 to 18 who are about to start risperidone or aripiprazole treatment for ASD related behavioural problems will be randomised into one of two groups: a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) group, and a care as usual (CAU) group. Participants will be assessed at baseline and 4, 10, 24, and 52 weeks follow-up. In the TDM group, physicians will receive dosing advice based on plasma levels of risperidone and aripiprazole and its metabolites at 4 and 10 weeks. Plasma levels will be measured in dried blood spots (DBS). The primary outcome will be BMI z-score at 24 weeks after start of antipsychotic treatment. Among the secondary outcomes are effectiveness, metabolic laboratory measurements, levels of prolactin, leptin and ghrelin, extrapyramidal side effects, and quality of life. Discussion: This will be the first RCT evaluating the effect of TDM of antipsychotic drugs in children and adolescents. Thus, findings from SPACe 2: STAR will be of great value in optimising treatment in this vulnerable population.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 814 |
| Journal | BMC Psychiatry |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Dec 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project has received funding from the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development ZonMw (Project number 10140022010011), Stichting de Merel, Erasmus University Medical Center MRace Grant, and the Department of Hospital Pharmacy from Erasmus University Medical Center. The funders approved the design of the trial, but will have no role in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data or in writing manuscripts or the decision to publish.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
