Abstract
Aims and methodTo ascertain the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in individuals with chronic enduring mental illness attending community psychiatric day centres, and to identify the prevalence of individual cardiometabolic risk factors and the rate of screening for these abnormalities. One hundred participants with chronic enduring mental illness were recruited and investigated using physical assessments and comprehensive laboratory testing.ResultsOf the 100 participants recruited, 55% met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. There were similar prevalence rates between those with psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. Forty-four per cent of the patients had not been screened for metabolic parameters in the previous 12 months, and 43% of these met criteria for metabolic syndrome.Clinical implicationsChronic enduring mental illness is associated with high prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome regardless of diagnosis or use of antipsychotic medication. A substantial proportion of this standard cohort of patients attending day centres carry cardiovascular risk factors that remain unidentified, but should be screened for and intensively managed.
Highlights
Clinical implications Chronic enduring mental illness is associated with high prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome regardless of diagnosis or use of antipsychotic medication
There was a similar prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in individuals with a history of non-psychotic disorders and those with a history of psychotic disorders
This study provides further evidence that chronic enduring mental illness in general should be considered a risk factor for metabolic syndrome
Summary
16.7% of patients at high risk of admission had an HTT crisis plan, compared with 26.7% of a comparison group. 23.1% of the crisis plans for patients with a history of frequent admission mentioned the prevention of future admissions. Crisis plan completion improved following the quality improvement programme, when 80.0% of discharges had an HTT crisis plan; of these, 73.0% mentioned admission prevention. Crisis plan completion did not appear to differ by ethnic group or gender and did not appear to be related to hospital readmission. Crisis plans may be a useful tool in the prevention of future hospital admissions, and they are especially relevant for CRHTs that perform a central gatekeeping role for people at risk of admission to hospital.
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