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Objectives: The effect of metformin on weight changes and some metabolic parameters in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder was investigated in this study.
Methods: As a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial, this study was performed from 2018 to 2019. A total of 66 obese patients (BMI≥27) with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, hospitalized in the departments of Razi Psychiatric Hospital, entered the study; then, they were randomly divided into intervention and control groups after completing the informed consent form. The patients received metformin or placebo for 12 weeks. The dose of metformin was gradually increased and in case of a patient’s tolerance, was prescribed up to 500 mg twice daily. During the study, all patients received their previous therapies. The variables included BMI, weight, waist circumference, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose, which were studied at the beginning of the study and at weeks 4, 8, and, 12. The data were analyzed, using a post hoc test by SPSS software.
Results: The results showed a significant decrease in weight (3.5 kg) and BMI (1.30) at the end of the week 12, and there was a significant reduction in waist circumference (5.9 cm) at the end of the week 8 compared to the placebo group (P<0.05). Moreover, metformin had no significant effect on fasting blood glucose and lipid profile in comparison with the placebo group.
Discussion: Based on the findings of this study, by reducing the weight, waist circumference, and BMI, metformin can have a significant role in decreasing the complications of obesity and metabolic disorders in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Therefore, given that the complications of metformin are low and transient, it can be recommended as a safe and tolerable drug in obese patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Objectives: Patients with schizophrenia receive psychiatric medications for many years, and their comorbid profile in old age remains unclear. Moreover, their pattern of non-psychiatric medicine use is of importance. Rehabilitation is crucial in patients with schizophrenia because it improves their strengths and life skills to live independently. These issues are essential in terms of polypharmacy among them, and its associated adverse effects. 
Methods: The present cross-sectional study investigated 131 patients with schizophrenia referring to Razi Hospital who were selected by a convenience sampling method. The subjects’ medical records were evaluated in terms of comorbid disorders and non-psychiatric medicine use patterns. Their demographic data were also collected by a separate questionnaire.
Results: The frequency of schizophrenia disorder was higher in males aged ≥65 years. The comorbidity frequency of non-psychiatric disorders was significantly higher in the elderly, compared to non-elderly patients. The most prevalent comorbid disorders in the elderly were musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders; and in the non-elderly neurological, hematological, and digestive diseases. The prevalence of non-psychiatric medicine intake was significantly higher in the elderly. The prevalence of non-psychiatric medicine use in the elderly (e.g. aspirin, heart disease medications, hypertension medications, etc.) and non-elderly patients (e.g. anemia medications, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, etc.) was not similar. 
Discussion: In schizophrenic patients, the old age period is associated with more comorbid disorders, compared to their healthy counterparts. Such comorbid profile is similar to other patients; e.g. the most prevalent comorbidities were musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders. Polypharmacy is a medical problem in the elderly, with numerous adverse effects. The adjunct consumption of psychiatric medications with the non-psychiatric ones highlights the vital phenomena of drug interactions and associated adverse effects of polypharmacy.