A Population-Based Cohort Study on Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Wen-Yu Hsu,Cheng-Li Lin,Chia-Hung Kao,Carmine Pizzi

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148759

Abstract

PurposePeripheral arterial disease (PAD) is considered the leading cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity. Several risk factors of PAD have been observed in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, we hypothesize that the incidence of PAD is higher in the schizophrenia population than in the general population.MethodsThe patients in this population-based cohort study were selected from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database on the basis of the claims data from 2000 to 2011. We compared the incidence of PAD between schizophrenia and nonschizophrenia cohorts. Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed for analyzing the risk of PAD after adjustment for sex, age, and comorbidities.ResultsThe adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for PAD in the schizophrenia cohort was 1.26-fold higher than that in the nonschizophrenia cohort. Furthermore, patients with schizophrenia using atypical antipsychotics exhibited a high adjusted HR for PAD.ConclusionCompared with the general population, the risk of PAD is higher among patients with schizophrenia. Early diagnosis and intervention can mitigate complications resulting from cardiovascular diseases and lower mortality.

Highlights

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the narrowing of arteries, mostly in the lower limbs, leading to claudication
Compared with the general population, the risk of PAD is higher among patients with schizophrenia
Some modifiable risk factors may be helpful in the management of PAD [8], and some of these risk factors are identified in patients with schizophrenia

Summary

Introduction

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the narrowing of arteries, mostly in the lower limbs, leading to claudication. PAD is considered the leading cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity, followed by coronary artery disease and stroke [2, 3]. Prevention and early management of PAD may lower the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. Several risk factors, such as old age, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, obesity, and hypertension, are associated with PAD [6, 8]. Some modifiable risk factors may be helpful in the management of PAD [8], and some of these risk factors are identified in patients with schizophrenia

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion