https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2011.tb00014.x

Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders.I. Prevalence, impact of medications and disparities in health care

Schizophrenia, “just the facts” 4. Clinical features and conceptualization

Individuals with schizophrenia have high levels of medical comorbidity and cardiovascular risk factors. The presence of 3 or more specific factors is indicative of metabolic syndrome, which is a significant influence upon future morbidity and mortality. We aimed to clarify the prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults with schizophrenia and related disorders, accounting for subgroup differences. A PRISMA systematic search, appraisal, and meta-analysis were conducted of 126 analyses in 77 publications (n 525 692). The overall rate of MetSwas 32.5% (95% CI 5 30.1%–35.0%), and there were only minor differences according to the different definitions of MetS, treatment setting (inpatient vs outpatient), by country of origin and no appreciable difference between males and females. Older age had a modest influence on the rate of MetS (adjusted R 2 5 .20;P 38 y) are shown in supplementary appendix 2 online. Regarding prescribed antipsychotic medication, highest rates were seen in those prescribed clozapine (51.9%) and lowest rates of MetS in those who were unmedicated (20.2%). Present findings strongly support the notion that patients with schizophrenia should be considered a high-risk group. Patients with schizophrenia should receive regular monitoring and adequate treatment of cardio-metabolic risk factors.

/pdf/prevalence-of-metabolic-syndrome-and-metabolic-abnormalities-puwoz48g1b.pdf

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolic Abnormalities in Schizophrenia and Related Disorders—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

https://www.vvp-online.be/uploads/docs/bib/576-nl-srcbestand.pdf

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes in people with severe mental illness position statement from the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), supported by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

The Lancet Psychiatry Commission: a blueprint for protecting physical health in people with mental illness

Objective: The lifespan of people with schizophrenia is shortened compared to the general population. We reviewed the literature on comorbid physical diseases in schizophrenia to provide a basis for initiatives to fight this unacceptable situation.

Method:  We searched MEDLINE (1966 – May 2006) combining the MeSH term of schizophrenia with the 23 MeSH terms of general physical disease categories to identify relevant epidemiological studies.

Results:  A total of 44 202 abstracts were screened. People with schizophrenia have higher prevalences of HIV infection and hepatitis, osteoporosis, altered pain sensitivity, sexual dysfunction, obstetric complications, cardiovascular diseases, overweight, diabetes, dental problems, and polydipsia than the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis and cancer may occur less frequently than in the general population. Eighty-six per cent of the studies came from industrialized countries limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Conclusion:  The increased frequency of physical diseases in schizophrenia might be on account of factors related to schizophrenia and its treatment, but undoubtedly also results from the unsatisfactory organization of health services, from the attitudes of medical doctors, and the social stigma ascribed to the schizophrenic patients.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01095.x

Physical illness and schizophrenia: a review of the literature

It is well established that people suffering from schizophrenia have a higher prevalence of serious physical illness and a higher mortality than the general population. This book provides the first comprehensive and systematic review of current research evidence on the prevalence of physical diseases in people with schizophrenia, a disorder afflicting approximately 1% of the global population, and a group with mortality rates twice as high as the general population. The epidemiological data described in this book will provide the basis for improved awareness of these problems and better treatment for patients. This is the first in a series of books addressing an issue emerging as a priority in the mental health field: the timely and proper recognition of physical health problems in people with mental disorders. They should be read by policy makers, service managers, mental health professionals and general practitioners.

Tonja Burkard

Papers

Physical illness and schizophrenia: a review of the literature

Physical illness and schizophrenia : a review of the evidence

Physical Illness and Schizophrenia: Method

Physical Illness and Schizophrenia: Results