Lung function decline in people with serious mental illness: A call to action

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) often face higher risks of respiratory diseases.
• Smoking is prevalent in SMI populations, exacerbating pulmonary health concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the rate of change in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) among individuals with SMI.
• To identify factors influencing FEV1 changes and rapid decline in this population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving 60 smokers with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
• Follow-up period averaged 3.54 years, tracking FEV1 and associated lifestyle/demographic factors.

Main Results:

• Mean annual FEV1 decline was 39.1 mL/year, with 51.7% experiencing rapid decline (≥40 mL/year).
• Physical activity and baseline FEV1 influenced absolute FEV1 change.
• Income and changes in abdominal circumference were associated with rapid FEV1 decline.

Conclusions:

• A significant portion of people with SMI exhibit rapid lung function decline.
• Routine pulmonary function evaluation in SMI patients may aid in identifying individuals at increased risk for morbidity and mortality.