Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia
Mette Vinther Hansen1, Peter Hjorth2, Christina Blanner Kristiansen3
1Department of Organic Psychiatric Disorders and Emergency Ward (Dept. M), Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Risskov, Denmark Mettevhansen@gmail.com.
Insights
Improving cardiovascular health in schizophrenia patients is challenging. This study found that interventions had limited success in routine care, with motivation and monitoring being key difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of premature death in schizophrenia patients.
- Effective short-term interventions for cardiovascular risk factors exist.
- Non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia require tailored health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reduce cardiovascular risk factors in outpatients with schizophrenia.
- To assess the effectiveness of health interventions in routine care.
- To identify baseline characteristics associated with positive intervention outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A 1-year follow-up study involving outpatients with schizophrenia from two Danish hospitals.
- Offered individual and group health interventions.
- Monitored body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood glucose, serum lipids, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Main Results:
- Small, significant increases in BMI and waist circumference were observed.
- Minor, non-significant improvements in other cardiovascular risk factors.
- Patients with high baseline BMI and longer illness duration showed better outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Improving physical health in non-selected schizophrenia patients within routine care is difficult.
- Patient motivation and monitoring of metabolic risk measures presented challenges.
- Future research should prioritize simple, integrated health promotion strategies for routine care.
Objectives:
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of premature death in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia using methods proven effective in short-term trials. Furthermore, we examined whether any baseline characteristics were associated with positive outcomes.
Methods:
All outpatients treated for schizophrenia at two Danish hospitals were included in this 1-year follow-up study. The patients were offered health interventions both individually and in groups. Weight, waist circumference, blood glucose, serum lipids, and information on smoking and alcohol were obtained.
Results:
On average, small significant increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences were observed while small non-significant improvements in other cardiovascular risk factors were seen. Patients with high baseline BMI and patients with duration of treated illness beyond 2 years had significantly better intervention outcomes.
Conclusions:
Our results show that it was difficult to improve physical health in a group of non-selected patients with schizophrenia as part of routine care. The patients were not easily motivated to participate in the interventions, and it was difficult to monitor the recommended metabolic risk measures in the patient group. Future research should focus on simple strategies in health promotion that can be integrated into routine care.
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