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The Relationship between 10 Years Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Schizophrenia Symptoms: Preliminary Results

Esin Evren Kilicaslan1, Merve Karakilic1, Almila Erol1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Atatürk Education and Training Hospital, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.

Psychiatry Investigation
|December 6, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Patients with schizophrenia have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, linked to illness duration and antipsychotic use. This study investigated the connection between heart disease risk and schizophrenia symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Schizophrenia patients face elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared to the general population.
  • Factors contributing to this risk include antipsychotic medications, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle choices.
  • Understanding the interplay between schizophrenia and CVD is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk and schizophrenia symptomatology.
  • To assess 10-year cardiovascular risk using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was calculated for 103 schizophrenia patients and 39 controls.
  • Data collected included sociodemographics, illness onset/duration, hospitalizations, and antipsychotic use.
  • Symptom severity was assessed using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS).

Main Results:

  • Schizophrenia patients exhibited a significantly higher 10-year cardiovascular risk (5.16%) than controls (3.02%).
  • FRS scores correlated significantly with age, number of hospitalizations, and illness duration.
  • Patients on multiple antipsychotics showed higher FRS scores and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular disease risk in schizophrenia is associated with illness duration and overall severity.
  • Antipsychotic medication use, particularly multiple agents, plays a role in elevated cardiovascular risk.
  • Further research is needed to mitigate CVD risk in schizophrenia patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
Antipsychotic treatmentCardiovascular riskFramingham risk scoreSchizophreniaSchizophrenia symptoms

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