Results of a metabolic health clinic at a hostel for homeless men

• Published in: Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2017-06, Vol.25 (3), p.270-273
• Main Authors: Nielssen, Olav, Chudleigh, Alan, Chen, Mia, Large, Matthew, Markovic, Tania, Cooper, Lucy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care Facilities - statistics & numerical data; Diabetes Mellitus - diagnosis; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Homeless Persons - statistics & numerical data; Housing - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Metabolic Syndrome - diagnosis; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; Middle Aged; New South Wales - epidemiology; Obesity - diagnosis; Obesity - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1039-8562; 1440-1665
• DOI: 10.1177/1039856217695705

Objectives: People who are homeless have high mortality and morbidity, including from metabolic disorder. The aim of this study was to report on the characteristics and progress of the metabolic health of people attending a metabolic clinic at a homeless men’s shelter. Methods: Homeless men attending the clinic were assessed by measuring their weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose and, if indicated, HbA1c. The sample characteristics of people who attended once (one-off clients) were compared to those who attended on more than one occasion (returning clients). Changes in health status were examined among returning clients by comparing baseline results to those at their last clinic visit. Results: Baseline data were recorded on a total of 136 men, of whom 126 had a consultation with a general practitioner and at least one blood test. The 136 clients had a median BMI of 27.4 kg/m2. Forty-three were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), 18 had class II obesity (BMI >35 kg/m2) and seven were underweight (BMI