Multidimensional Health Profiles in Hospitalized Patients with Mental Disorders: A Cluster Analysis of Cardiovascular...

Mental disorders are often associated with a high burden of physical comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular risk factors, which contribute to functional impairment. However, limited evidence exists regarding the multidimensional interaction between cardiovascular risk, cognitive function, and emotional symptoms in hospitalized psychiatric patients.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between cardiovascular risk and cognitive impairment and to characterize multidimensional health profiles through cluster analysis in hospitalized patients with mental disorders.

An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in Colombia (N = 50). Cardiovascular risk (Framingham score and anthropometry), cognitive performance (MoCA, DRS-2, FAB), emotional symptoms (BAI, BDI-II, Yesavage, GHQ-28), and functional status (Barthel, Lawton-Brody) were assessed. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Spearman correlations (rho) were used for data analysis.

Two distinct clusters were identified. Differentiation was primarily driven by emotional symptom severity and executive dysfunction rather than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Cluster 2 represented a high-vulnerability profile, characterized by severe anxiety, depression, and significant cognitive impairment (MoCA: 10.3 +/- 5.1). Robust positive correlations were found between BDI-II and Yesavage (rho = 0.91; p < 0.001) and between MoCA and FAB (rho = 0.81; p < 0.001). Negative correlations confirmed that age (rho = -0.45) and depressive symptoms (rho = -0.32) significantly impacted functional independence (Lawton-Brody).

In hospitalized psychiatric patients, multidimensional health profiles are defined by emotional burden and executive dysfunction rather than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Identifying the high-risk Cluster 2 underscores the need for integrated, multidisciplinary care models that simultaneously address mental health, cognition, and functionality to improve clinical outcomes.