Title: Literature review of physical health for people with schizophrenia
Abstract:
Sudden cardiac deaths in patients with schizophrenia are about three times higher than in the general population, high prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease shortens life expectancy by up to 25 years, and the gap in average age at death between patients with schizophrenia and the general population widens each year. Inactivity is associated with reduced health-related physical quality of life. In addition, stigma is often a barrier that prevents smooth access to medical care and treatment. It is necessary to improve physical health in order to continue to live a life that is unique to the individual. Therefore, we conducted a literature review on physical health for persons with schizophrenia. Using the keywords schizophrenia, physical activity, lifestyle, quality of life, and health management, we searched MEDLINE, Medical Journal, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for original articles from 2002 to 2022. Forty-six articles were ultimately extracted and examined. The largest number of cross-sectional studies (21), longitudinal studies (12), literature studies (8), and intervention studies (5) were identified. The prevalence of obesity in outpatient psychiatric patients was high, a significant increase in abdominal circumference and BMI was found in the schizophrenia group, and there was a significant decrease in eGFR and increase in CKD ratio in the mood disorder group compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, physical activity level was associated with patients' sense of purpose in life, and physical risk in patients with schizophrenia was influenced by both the inpatient or outpatient treatment environments. Lower physical activity is correlated with lower executive functioning, work motivation, and vitality. The study also found that lifestyle programs improved physical activity and metabolic health. Also, self-records improved weight maintenance, prevention awareness, and perception of eating behavior. In addition, health education programs increased the number of steps taken, aerobic exercise reduced psychiatric symptoms and improved cognition and cardiopulmonary function, and lifestyle-enhancing treatment improved metabolic function. Although each study has shown a certain level of effectiveness, the number of subjects was small, and the outcome measures varied. In light of the above, we believe that there is a need to develop a nursing support program that is effective in maintaining the physical health of patients with mental illness.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Increased awareness of the need to assess physical health of patients with schizophrenia
- Early detection of physical complications in patients with schizophrenia
- Development of approaches to maintaining quality of life in persons with schizophrenia
- Understand of the importance of physical health care in psychiatry
