OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate serum leptin, adiponectin 
and paraoxonase1 levels in adult females receiving pharmacotherapy for various 
psychiatric disorders.
METHODS: The study group consisted of 32 obese females (mean age 40.53 +/- 11.00 
years, mean body mass index 35.44 +/- 5.33 kg/m(2)) who were receiving treatment 
for psychiatric disorders, and the control group included 22 obese females (mean 
age 35.95 +/- 9.16 years, mean body mass index 30.78 +/- 3.33 kg/m(2)) who were 
free of psychiatric disorders. Analyses were performed using a bioelectrical 
impedance device. Fasting blood samples were obtained for complete blood count 
and various biochemical tests, including determination of leptin, adiponectin 
and paraoxonase1 activity.
RESULTS: Body mass index, waist and hip circumference, body fat percentage, 
fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, homeostasis model 
assesement of insulin resistance, alanine transaminase, aspartate tarnsaminase, 
and leptin levels were significantly higher in the study group than in controls. 
Although body weight was positively correlated with leptin levels in both 
groups, body weight was negatively correlated with adiponectin levels in the 
control group and positively correlated with adiponectin levels in the study 
group. In the study group, body mass index and hip circumference correlated 
positively with leptin levels, hip circumference correlated positively with 
adiponectin levels, and waist to hip ratio correlated positively with 
paraoxonase levels. In the control group, body mass index as well as waist and 
hip circumferences were positively correlated with leptin levels. Weight, body 
mass index, and hip circumference were also negatively correlated with the 
adiponectin/leptin ratio in the control group.
CONCLUSION: This study indicates a higher risk for obesity-related disorders, 
particularly metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, in 
patients treated with psychiatric drugs.