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Body mass index and functioning in long-term schizophrenia. Results of the DSP project
Raimo K R Salokangas1, Teija Honkonen, Eija Stengård
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku Psychiatric Clinic, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku Psychiatric Clinic, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, FI-20520 Turku, Finland. raimo.k.r.salokangas@tyks.fi
Objective:
The study evaluates the association of body mass index (BMI) with functioning in male and female patients with long-term schizophrenia.
Method:
722 long-term schizophrenia patients were interviewed three years after discharge from hospital. Their weight and height were recorded and data on their background, illness history, psychosocial functioning (Global Assessment Scale; GAS), health behaviour, daily doses of neuroleptics, and psychiatric symptoms were collected.
Results:
BMI correlated significantly with GAS scores in male (r=0.202, p=0.000) but not in female patients. In male patients, BMI associated significantly (p=0.005) with GAS scores even when the effects of psychiatric symptoms and other confounding variables were taken into account.
Conclusions:
In male but not in female long-term patients with schizophrenia, low BMI associates with poor functioning. It is suggested that among male schizophrenia patients, low BMI may be an indicator of poor functioning.
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