Recording of cardiovascular risk factors by general practitioners in patients with schizophrenia

Mª Carmen Castillejos,Fermín Mayoral-Cleries,Berta Moreno-Küstner,Antonio García-Ruiz,Carlos Martín-Pérez

doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00284-5

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with schizophrenia and related disorders (SRD) are more predisposed to having cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) compared to the general population due to a combination of lifestyle factors and exposure to antipsychotic medications. We aimed to analyse the documentation practices of CVRFs by general practitioners (GPs) and its associations with patient variables in a sample of persons with SRD.MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 primary care centres (PCCs) in Malaga (Spain). The population comprised all patients with SRD who were in contact with a GP residing in the study area. The number of CVRFs (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity and smoking) recorded by GPs were analysed by considering patients’ demographic and clinical variables and use of primary care services. We performed descriptive, bivariate and multivariate regression analyses.ResultsA total of 494 patients were included; CVRFs were not recorded in 59.7% of the patients. One CVRF was recorded in 42.1% of patients and two or more CVRFs were recorded in 16.1% of patients. Older age, living in an urban area and a higher number of visits to the GP were associated with a higher number of CVRFs recorded.ConclusionThe main finding in this study is that both patients’ demographic variables as well as use of primary care services were found to be related to the documentation of CVRFs in patients with SRD by GPs.

Highlights

Patients with schizophrenia and related disorders (SRD) are more predisposed to having cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) compared to the general population due to a combination of lifestyle factors and exposure to antipsychotic medications
It has long been accepted that patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have higher rates of mortality and morbidity from physical health problems compared to the general population [1,2,3], due to the high level of CVRFs they present [4]
11.5% of the sample resided in socioeconomically deprived areas (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Patients with schizophrenia and related disorders (SRD) are more predisposed to having cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) compared to the general population due to a combination of lifestyle factors and exposure to antipsychotic medications. It has long been accepted that patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have higher rates of mortality and morbidity from physical health problems compared to the general population [1,2,3], due to the high level of CVRFs they present [4]. Patients with SMI receive fewer prescriptions for the treatment of common CVRFs [14]. This phenomenon could be because most health professionals consider the care of people with SMI too specialised for primary care [15]

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