Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with first-episode psychosis in São Paulo, Brazil

Prevalence of lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors and estimated framingham 10-year risk scores of adults with psychotic disorders compared to controls at a referral hospital in Eldoret, Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, suboptimal diet, and inadequate physical activity have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. There are limited data on these risk factors among patients with psychosis in low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to establish the prevalence of lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors, and the 10-year cardiovascular risk scores and associated factors in patients with psychosis compared to controls at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.

METHODS

A sample of 297 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar mood disorder; and 300 controls matched for age and sex were included in this analysis. A study specific researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, antipsychotic medication use, smoking, alcohol intake, diet, and physical activity. Weight, height, abdominal circumference, and blood pressure were also collected to calculate the Framingham 10-year Cardiovascular Risk Score (FRS), while blood was drawn for measurement of glucose level and lipid profile. Pearson's chi-squared tests and t-tests were employed to assess differences in cardiovascular risk profiles between patients and controls, and a linear regression model was used to determine predictors of 10-year cardiovascular risk in patients.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, patients with psychosis were more likely to have smoked in their lifetimes (9.9% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.006) or to be current smokers (13.8% vs. 7%, p = 0.001). Over 97% of patients with psychosis consumed fewer than five servings of fruits and vegetables per week; 78% engaged in fewer than three days of vigorous exercise per week; and 48% sat for more than three hours daily. The estimated 10-year risk of CVD was relatively low in this study: the FRS in patients was 3.16, compared to 2.93 in controls. The estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk in patients was significantly associated with female sex (p = 0.007), older patients (p < 0.001), current tobacco smoking (p < 0.001), and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In the setting of Eldoret, there is suboptimal physical exercise and intake of healthy diet among patients with psychosis and controls. While the estimated risk score among patients is relatively low in our study, these data may be useful for informing future studies geared towards informing interventions to promote healthy lifestyles in this population.

Childhood immuno-metabolic markers and risk of depression and psychosis in adulthood: A prospective birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and inflammatory disorders commonly co-occur with depression and psychosis, with emerging evidence implicating immuno-metabolic dysfunction in their aetiology. Previous studies have reported metabolic dysfunction and inflammation in adults with depression and psychosis. However, longitudinal studies testing the direction of association, and the effects of different dimensions of early-life immuno-metabolic dysfunction on adult psychopathology are limited.

METHODS

Using data from 3258 birth cohort participants we examined longitudinal associations of three metabolic hormones (leptin, adiponectin, insulin) at age 9 with risks for depression- and psychosis-spectrum outcomes at age 24. In addition, using nine immuno-metabolic biomarkers (leptin, adiponectin, insulin, interleukin-6, C-Reactive protein, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and BMI), we constructed an exploratory bifactor model showing a general immuno-metabolic factor and three specific factors (adiposity, inflammation, and insulin resistance), which were also used as exposures.

RESULTS

Childhood leptin was associated with adult depressive episode (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)= 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02-1.71) and negative symptoms (aOR=1.15; 95% CI, 1.07-1.24), but not positive psychotic symptoms. The general immuno-metabolic factor was associated with atypical depressive symptoms (aOR=1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14) and psychotic experiences (aOR=1.21; 95% CI, 1.02-1.44). The adiposity factor was associated with negative symptoms (aOR=1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.12). Point estimates tended to be larger in women, though 95% credible intervals overlapped with those for men. In women, the inflammatory factor was associated with depressive episodes (aOR=1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.57).

CONCLUSIONS

While general immuno-metabolic dysfunction in childhood may contribute to risks for both psychotic and depressive symptoms in adulthood, childhood adiposity and inflammation appear to be particularly linked to affective (depressive and negative), but not positive psychotic symptoms.

Hypertension and psychosis

Hypertension, a prevalent component of metabolic syndrome (MetS), is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Psychosis is a feature in the schizophrenia spectrum. Meta-analysis suggests that the prevalence of hypertension in schizophrenia and related disorders is 39%. This may be explained by a unidirectional association between hypertension and psychosis, in that psychosis can be a causative factor of hypertension via antipsychotic medication, inflammation and irregular autonomic nervous system activity through multiple mechanisms. Obesity is a side effect of antipsychotic medication and is a risk factor for hypertension. Obesity leads to raised blood pressure, atherosclerosis, increased triglyceride concentration and decreased high-density lipoprotein concentration. Inflammation accompanies hypertension and obesity. In recent years, the role of inflammation in the onset of psychosis has been increasingly recognised. It underlies the immune dysregulation observed in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Interleukin-6, a marker and driver of inflammation, is related to obesity and plays a role in the pathogenesis of MetS and hypertension. The lack of preventive care of hypertension and other MetS risk factors for patients on antipsychotic medication is reflected in the high incidence of CVD in this population. It is important to detect and treat MetS and hypertension in patients with psychosis in order to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population.

High prevalence of metabolic alterations in Latin American patients at initial stages of psychosis

AIM

Studies conducted in the United States have highlighted a higher prevalence of metabolic alterations (MA) in Latino population and Latino psychotic patients. Metabolic risk in psychosis is known to be present from initial stages of the disease. To better characterize this population, we explored the prevalence of MA and metabolic syndrome (MS) in early psychosis patients in a Latin American country.

METHODS

Transversal, observational study comparing the prevalence of MA and MS in patients with early psychosis from an outpatient program in Chile (n = 148) with a community representative sample from the 2009-2010 National Health Survey (n = 568). ANOVA and regression analysis were performed obtaining odds ratio for MA and MS.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MS was 44.7% in patients compared to 11.4% in the community sample (odds ratio [OR] 5.28, confidence interval [CI] 95% 3.07-9.08; P-value <0.001). There was no effect of gender. Subgroup analyses showed no significant association of MS with clozapine/olanzapine use, treatment duration or tobacco use. There was an association between treatment duration and hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.024; OR 1.02, CI 95% 1.00-1.04) and obesity (P = 0.007; OR 5.93, CI 95% 1.82-20.22). Clozapine/olanzapine use was associated with hyperglycaemia (P = 0.007; OR 6.04, CI 95% 1.63-22.38) and high low density lipoprotein (P = 0.033 ANOVA; OR 5.28, CI 95% 1.14-24.37).

CONCLUSION

Latino psychotic patients have a high risk of MA and MS at initial stages of the disease which is not entirely explained by the higher risk in the whole Latino population, is irrespective of gender, and does not seem to be entirely a response to atypical antipsychotic use.

Is autonomous motivation the key to maintaining an active lifestyle in first-episode psychosis?

AIM

Physical activity has the potential to improve the health of patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP), yet many patients with FEP remain inactive. Exploring the theoretical basis of the motivational processes linked to the adoption and maintenance of physical activity behaviours in FEP patients can assist with the design and delivery of physical activity interventions. Within the self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model (stages of change) frameworks, we investigated motives for physical activity adoption and maintenance in FEP.

METHODS

Overall 56 FEP patients (20♀) (24 ± 4 years) completed the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 to assess exercise motives, and the Patient-Centred Assessment and Counselling for Exercise to determine stage of change. Gender and setting differences in motives for physical activity were compared with unpaired t-tests. The relationship between motives for physical activity and stage of change was investigated using anova with post-hoc Scheffe tests.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found according to gender and setting. Multivariate analyses found significantly higher levels of amotivation and lower levels of autonomous motivation in the earlier stages of change.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that in FEP patients, autonomous regulations may play an important role in the adoption and maintenance of physical activity behaviours. The study provides a platform for future research to investigate the importance of autonomous motivation within physical activity interventions for this population.

Eating behavior of schizophrenic patients

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the eating behavior, food practices, nutritional and metabolic profiles of patients with schizophrenia undergoing treatment. Methods Cross-sectional exploratory descriptive qualitative study used a semi-structured questionnaire on the eating behavior, food practices, and perception of changes after the initiation of drug therapy and a quantitative method using anthropometric and body composition measurements, metabolic parameters, and 5-day dietary records to analyze nutrient ingestion of patients with schizophrenia in an outpatient clinic at a tertiary hospital (n=33). The qualitative data were analyzed and coded by three researchers and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive exploratory statistics. Results The results of this study showed that schizophrenic patients presented high prevalence of excess weight (71.0%), metabolic syndrome (42.0%), dyslipidemia (62.0%), changes in appetite (76.0%), and increase in energy intake (74.2%), associated with important irregularities in eating behavior and food practices (such as irregularity of meals, emotional intake, high carbohydrate and fat intake, and low energy expenditure) and lifestyle (changes in social and work routines). Conclusion This eating profile may interact synergistically with psychotropic drugs to contribute to weight gain and metabolic changes in schizophrenia. Nutrition education may prevent and monitor the risk of metabolic and nutrition problems, irrespective of the medications used.

Metabolic syndrome in antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia: pooled analysis of data from three Indian studies

AIM

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and subthreshold MS in antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia by pooling the data from three different centres in India.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-seven antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia were evaluated for MS using common criteria for clinical diagnosis.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients (19%) met consensus criteria. Additionally, 56 patients (40.9%) fulfilled one criterion and 32 patients (23.3%) fulfilled two criteria of MS out of five criteria.

CONCLUSION

One-fifth of antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia had MS and another two-third had at least one metabolic abnormality. Awareness of such a high risk is vitally important for rational selection of antipsychotic medications as well as effective implementation of preventive measures.

Metabolic syndrome and aerobic fitness in patients with first-episode schizophrenia, including a 1-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic abnormalities in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) with sex- and age-matched healthy controls; to investigate changes in MetS during 1year of treatment; and to investigate predictors of MetS.

METHODS

Patients with FES (N=99) and healthy controls (N=50) were included in the study. MetS was defined according to IDF based on waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and fasting-glucose. Data on physical activity, aerobic fitness, smoking, and dietary habits, sleeping disturbances, psychopathology and psychotropic medication were also obtained. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 1year follow-up.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls patients with FES had a higher baseline prevalence of MetS (p=.07), and metabolic abnormalities: WC (p<.01), TG (p<.01), HDL (p=.017), and fasting glucose (p=.04). Patients with FES had significantly increased prevalence of MetS (p=.03), WC (p=.04), and TG (p=.01) during the study period. Antipsychotics and low physical activity were significantly correlated with the increase in metabolic abnormalities. In multivariate analyses low aerobic fitness was the most consistent and significant predictor of metabolic abnormalities and MetS.

CONCLUSION

MetS and metabolic abnormalities are highly prevalent in patients with FES, and both increase significantly during 1year of treatment. Apart from confirming the metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotics, our study highlights that low aerobic fitness is a significant risk factor for MetS. Promoting a healthier lifestyle should be part of psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation.

Body mass, cardiovascular risk and metabolic characteristics of young persons presenting for mental healthcare in Sydney, Australia

OBJECTIVES

To determine the body mass, cardiovascular and metabolic characteristics of young people presenting for mental healthcare.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional assessments of body mass, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.

SETTING

Two primary-care based sites in Sydney, Australia for young people in the early stages of mental disorders.

PARTICIPANTS

A clinical sample of young people (12-30 years) with mental health problems.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Daily smoking rates, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose and lipids, blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate.

RESULTS

Of 1005 young people who had their BMI determined (62% female; 19.0±3.5 years), three quarters (739/1005) also had BP recordings and one-third (298/1005) had blood sampling. Clinically, 775 were assigned to one of three diagnostic categories (anxious-depression: n=541; mania-fatigue, n=104; developmental-psychotic n=130). The profile of BMI categories approximated that of the comparable segments of the Australian population. Older age, lower levels of social functioning and higher systolic BP were all associated with high BMI. In a subset (n=129), current use of any psychotropic medication was associated (p<0.05) with increased BMI. Almost one-third of cases were current daily smokers (compared to population rate of 11%). Males had a higher proportion of raised glucose and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to females (9.3% and 34.1% vs 2.1% and 5.9%, respectively). Overall, there was no relationship between BMI and fasting glucose but significant relationships with triglycerides and HDL were noted. Furthermore, there were no significant relationships between diagnostic subgroup and metabolic profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily smoking rates are increased among young people presenting for mental healthcare. However, these young people do not demonstrate adverse cardiometabolic profiles. The high levels of smoking, and association of BMI with adverse social circumstances, suggest that risk factors for chronic disease are already present and likely to be compounded by medication and social disadvantage.

Understanding tDCS effects in schizophrenia: a systematic review of clinical data and an integrated computation modeling analysis

Although recent clinical studies using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for schizophrenia showed encouraging results, several tDCS montages were employed and their current flow pattern has not been investigated. We performed a systematic review to identify clinical tDCS studies in schizophrenia. We then applied computer head modeling analysis for prediction of current flow. Out of 41 references, we identified 12 relevant studies. The most employed montage was anode and cathode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal and temporoparietal cortex, respectively. Computational model analysis predicted activation and under-activation under the anode and the cathode, respectively, occurring in areas respectively associated with negative and positive symptoms. We also identified tDCS-induced electrical currents in cortical areas between the electrodes (frontoparietal network) and, to a lesser extent, in deeper structures involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology. Mechanisms of tDCS effects in schizophrenia and the usefulness of computer modeling techniques for planning tDCS trials in schizophrenia are discussed.

A meta-analysis of cardio-metabolic abnormalities in drug naïve, first-episode and multi-episode patients with schizophrenia versus general population controls

A meta-analysis was conducted to explore the risk for cardio-metabolic abnormalities in drug naïve, first-episode and multi-episode patients with schizophrenia and age- and gender- or cohort-matched general population controls. Our literature search generated 203 relevant studies, of which 136 were included. The final dataset comprised 185,606 unique patients with schizophrenia, and 28 studies provided data for age- and gender-matched or cohort-matched general population controls (n=3,898,739). We found that multi-episode patients with schizophrenia were at increased risk for abdominal obesity (OR=4.43; CI=2.52-7.82; p<0.001), hypertension (OR=1.36; CI=1.21-1.53; p<0.001), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=2.35; CI=1.78-3.10; p<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (OR=2.73; CI=1.95-3.83; p<0.001), metabolic syndrome (OR=2.35; CI=1.68-3.29; p<0.001), and diabetes (OR=1.99; CI=1.55-2.54; p<0.001), compared to controls. Multi-episode patients with schizophrenia were also at increased risk, compared to first-episode (p<0.001) and drug-naïve (p<0.001) patients, for the above abnormalities, with the exception of hypertension and diabetes. Our data provide further evidence supporting WPA recommendations on screening, follow-up, health education and lifestyle changes in people with schizophrenia.

Management of Medication-Related Cardiometabolic Risk in Patients with Severe Mental Illness

Severe psychotic disorders, which on their own may be a risk factor for metabolic disorder and cardiovascular illness, are clinically compounded by the significant adverse side effects of antipsychotic medications. The majority of patients with severe psychotic disorders (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mania, and depression) must take antipsychotic medications to treat their psychoses and, subsequently, will require efficacious interventions to manage the metabolic consequences of pharmacologic treatment to mitigate excessive mortality associated with cardiovascular illness. We have reviewed the metabolic consequences of antipsychotic treatment and discussed pilot findings from a new nonpharmacologic intervention study looking at the clinical benefits of regular exercise as a management tool for the cardiometabolic risk factors in a cohort with severe mental illness.

Unraveling the mechanisms responsible for the comorbidity between metabolic syndrome and mental health disorders

The increased prevalence and high comorbidity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and mental health disorders (MHDs) have prompted investigation into the potential contributing mechanisms. There is a bidirectional association between MetS and MHDs including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. Medication side effects and social repercussions are contributing environmental factors, but there are a number of shared underlying neurological and physiological mechanisms that explain the high comorbidity between these two disorders. Inflammation is a state shared by both disorders, and it contributes to disruptions of neuroregulatory systems (including the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and neuropeptide Y systems) as well as dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. MetS in pregnant women also exposes the developing fetal brain to inflammatory factors that predispose the offspring to MetS and psychopathologies. Due to the shared nature of these conditions, treatment should address aspects of both mental health and metabolic disorders. Additionally, interventions that can interrupt the transfer of increased risk of the disorders to the next generation need to be developed. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.