Physical health of patients with schizophrenia

Physical ill health is common in schizophrenia. Its aetiology is multifactorial with poor lifestyle choices possibly precipitating general medical conditions in this already vulnerable population. In fact, over two-thirds of patients with schizophrenia die of ‘natural causes’, such as heart disease....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry (Abingdon, England) England), 2005-11, Vol.4 (11), p.58-60
Main Author: Thakore, Jogin H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
diabetes
medication
metabolic syndrome
physical ill health
schizophrenia
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Summary:Physical ill health is common in schizophrenia. Its aetiology is multifactorial with poor lifestyle choices possibly precipitating general medical conditions in this already vulnerable population. In fact, over two-thirds of patients with schizophrenia die of ‘natural causes’, such as heart disease. Diabetes is an obvious precursor to such cardiovascular illness and it is clear that those with schizophrenia have higher rates of the this endocrine disorder along with other features of the metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions which include obesity (central – around the abdomen), dyslipidaemias, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (or hyperinsulinaemia) and hypertension. Schizophrenia has been associated with higher rates of not only pre-diabetic states and diabetes, but also central obesity (fat within the abdomen), which contribute to the excess mortality observed in this condition. Though medication may play a role in the pathogenesis of these disorders, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the illness of schizophrenia may in itself be a predisposing factor to such illnesses.
ISSN:1476-1793
DOI:10.1383/psyt.2005.4.11.58