Disparities in Screening and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases in Patients With Mental Disorders Across the World: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 47 Observational Studies

Secondary Stroke Prevention in People With Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

People with schizophrenia are less likely than those without to be treated for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to evaluate the association between schizophrenia and secondary preventive care after ischemic stroke.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this retrospective cohort study, we used linked population-based administrative data to identify adults who survived 1 year after ischemic stroke hospitalization in Ontario, Canada between 2004 and 2017. Outcomes were screening, treatment, and control of risk factors, and receipt of outpatient physician services. We used modified Poisson regression to model the relative risk of each outcome among people with and without schizophrenia, adjusting for age and other factors. Among 81 163 people with ischemic stroke, 844 (1.04%) had schizophrenia. Schizophrenia was associated with lower rates of screening for hyperlipidemia (60.5% versus 66.0%, adjusted relative risk [aRR] 0.88 [95% CI, 0.84-0.93]) and diabetes (69.4% versus 73.9%, aRR 0.93 [95% CI, 0.89-0.97]), prescription of antihypertensive medications (91.2% versus 94.7%, aRR 0.96 [95% CI, 0.93-0.99]), achievement of target lipid levels (low-density lipoprotein <2 mmol/L) (30.6% versus 34.6%, aRR 0.86 [95% CI, 0.78-0.96]), and outpatient specialist visits (55.3% versus 67.8%, aRR 0.78 [95% CI, 0.74-0.83]) or primary care physician visits (94.5% versus 98.5%; aRR 0.96 [95% CI, 0.95-0.98]) within 1 year. There were no differences in prescription of antilipemic, antiglycemic, or anticoagulant medications, or in achievement of target hemoglobin A1c ≤7%.

CONCLUSIONS

People with stroke and schizophrenia are less likely than those without to receive secondary preventive care. This may inform interventions to improve poststroke care and outcomes in those with schizophrenia.

Decreasing Prejudicial Attitudes of Fear and Avoidance Toward Those Who Live with a Mental Illness-A Quasi-Experimental Controlled Study

The undergraduate mental health nursing course is an optimal time to address stigma and prejudice, while developing positive student attitudes toward those who live with mental health conditions. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, nonequivalent-group study with a sample of undergraduate nursing students in New York City (N = 126) was conducted to determine the impact of an undergraduate mental health nursing course on attitudes toward people living with a general mental illness, depression, or schizophrenia. The intervention resulted in a significant reduction in total prejudice scores toward those with a general mental illness when compared to the control (p = 0.033, partial η2 = 0.062). The intervention had no significant impact on total prejudice scores regarding those with depression, or schizophrenia. Subscale analysis revealed the intervention significantly reduced attitudes of fear/avoidance regarding general mental illness (p = 0.040, partial η2 = 0.058) and schizophrenia (p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.164). There was no impact on authoritarian or malevolent attitudes. Though some attitudes were not amenable to change, this study provides evidence that positive attitudes can be cultivated through undergraduate nursing education. Curricular reform is needed to reduce all facets of prejudice and best prepare future nurses to care for those with mental health conditions.

Genetic predisposition and antipsychotic treatment effect on metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia: a ten-year follow-up study using the Estonian Biobank

Background

Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients exhibit 30% higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared to the general population with its suboptimal management contributing to increased mortality. Large-scale studies providing real-world evidence of the underlying causes remain limited.

Methods

To address this gap, we used real-world health data from the Estonian Biobank, spanning a median follow-up of ten years, to investigate the impact of genetic predisposition and antipsychotic treatment on the development of MetS in SCZ patients. Specifically, we set out to characterize antipsychotic treatment patterns, genetic predisposition of MetS traits, MetS prognosis, and body mass index (BMI) trajectories, comparing SCZ cases (n = 677) to age- and sex-matched controls (n = 2708).

Findings

SCZ cases exhibited higher genetic predisposition to SCZ (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.58-1.94), but lower polygenic burden for increased BMI (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.88-0.96) and C-reactive protein (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.97) compared to controls. While SCZ cases showed worse prognosis of MetS (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.54-2.46), higher antipsychotic adherence within the first treatment year was associated with reduced long-term MetS incidence. Linear mixed modelling, incorporating multiple BMI timepoints, underscored the significant contribution of both, antipsychotic medication, and genetic predisposition to higher BMI, driving the substantially upward trajectory of BMI in SCZ cases.

Interpretation

These findings contribute to refining clinical risk prediction and prevention strategies for MetS among SCZ patients and emphasize the significance of incorporating genetic information, long-term patient tracking, and employing diverse perspectives when analyzing real-world health data.

Funding

EU Horizon 2020, Swedish Research Council, Estonian Research Council, Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, University of Tartu.

Care trajectories around a first dementia diagnosis in patients with serious mental illness

AIM

To develop a typology of care trajectories (CTs) 1 year before and after a first dementia diagnosis in individuals aged ≥65 years, with prevalent schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal, retrospective cohort study using health administrative data (1996-2016) from Quebec (Canada). We selected patients aged ≥65 years with an incident diagnosis of dementia between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016, and a diagnosis of schizophrenia and/or or bipolar disorder. A CT typology was generated by a multidimensional state sequence analysis based on the "6 W" model of CTs. Three dimensions were considered: the care setting ("where"), the reason for consultation ("why") and the specialty of care providers ("which").

RESULTS

In total, 3868 patients were categorized into seven distinct types of CTs, with varying patterns of healthcare use and comorbidities. Healthcare use differed in terms of intensity, but also in its distribution around the diagnosis. For instance, whereas one group showed low healthcare use, healthcare use abruptly increased or decreased after the diagnosis in other groups, or was equally distributed. Other significant differences between CTs included mortality rates and use of long-term care after the diagnosis. Most patients (67%) received their first dementia diagnosis during hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Our innovative approach provides a unique insight into the complex healthcare patterns of people living with serious mental illness and dementia, and provides an avenue to support data-driven decision-making by highlighting fragility areas in allocating care resources. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 577-586.

High persistence and low treatment rates of metabolic syndrome in patients with mood and anxiety disorders: A naturalistic follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Patients with affective and anxiety disorders are at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and, consequently, cardiovascular disease and premature death. In this study, the course and treatment of MetS was investigated using longitudinal data from a naturalistic sample of affective- and anxiety-disordered outpatients (Monitoring Outcome of psychiatric PHARmacotherapy [MOPHAR]).

METHODS

Demographics, clinical characteristics, medication use, and MetS components were obtained for n = 2098 patients at baseline and, in a FU-subsample of n = 507 patients, after a median follow-up (FU) of 11 months. Furthermore, pharmacological treatment rates of MetS were investigated at baseline and FU. Finally, demographic and clinical determinants of change in MetS (component) scores were investigated.

RESULTS

At baseline, 34.6 % of n = 2098 patients had MetS, 41.4 % of whom received treatment. Of patients with persisting MetS, 46.1 % received treatment for one (or more) MetS component(s) at baseline, and 56.6 % received treatment at FU. Treatment rates of solely elevated blood pressure and reduced HDL-cholesterol did significantly, but modestly, improve. Higher age, male sex, smoking behavior, low education, diabetes, and depressive versus anxiety disorder were predictors of worse outcome at FU on at least one MetS component.

LIMITATIONS

We did not have data on lifestyle interventions as a form of treatment, which might partly have explained the observed low pharmacotherapeutic treatment rates.

CONCLUSION

MetS (components) show high persistence rates in affective- and anxiety-disordered patients, and are, despite adequate monitoring, undertreated over time. This indicates that adherence and implementation of monitoring protocols should be crucially improved in psychiatric outpatients in secondary care.

Severe mental illness and mortality in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There have been conflicting reports regarding the case-fatality outcomes associated with sepsis and septic shock in patients with severe mental illness (SMI).

METHODS

We searched Medline®, Web of Science® and the Cochrane Library® databases (from inception to 4-July-2023) for papers reporting outcomes associated with sepsis and septic shock in adult with (cases) vs. without SMI (controls). The main study outcome was the unadjusted case-fatality rate at hospital discharge, or 30 days if unavailable. Secondary outcomes included the rates of adjusted case-fatality at hospital discharge.

RESULTS

A total of six studies were included in the systematic review, of which four provided data for meta-analysis involving 2,124,072 patients. Compared to controls, patients with SMI were younger and more frequently women. Unadjusted analyses showed that SMI patients had a lower case-fatality rate associated with sepsis and septic shock than their non-SMI counterparts (OR 0.61, 95% CI [0.58-0.65], PI 95% CI [0.49-0.77], I2 = 91%). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses showed that the denominator of the study population (i.e. septic shock or sepsis) was associated with the outcome with an R2 of 59.7%.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study reveals a survival advantage of SMI patients over their non-SMI counterparts. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms involved and to develop targeted interventions that can improve the prognosis of both SMI and non-SMI patients facing sepsis.

A genetic exploration of the relationship between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and cardiovascular diseases

Background and Aims

Experiencing a traumatic event may lead to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including symptoms such as flashbacks and hyperarousal. Individuals suffering from PTSD are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but it is unclear why. This study assesses shared genetic liability and potential causal pathways between PTSD and CVD.

Methods

We leveraged summary-level data of genome-wide association studies (PTSD: N= 1,222,882; atrial fibrillation (AF): N=482,409; coronary artery disease (CAD): N=1,165,690; hypertension: N=458,554; heart failure (HF): N=977,323). First, we estimated genetic correlations and utilized genomic structural equation modeling to identify a common genetic factor for PTSD and CVD. Next, we assessed biological, behavioural, and psychosocial factors as potential mediators. Finally, we employed multivariable Mendelian randomization to examine causal pathways between PTSD and CVD, incorporating the same potential mediators.

Results

Significant genetic correlations were found between PTSD and CAD, HT, and HF (rg =0.21-0.32, p≤ 3.08 · 10-16), but not between PTSD and AF. Insomnia, smoking, alcohol dependence, waist-to-hip ratio, and inflammation (IL6, C-reactive protein) partly mediated these associations. Mendelian randomization indicated that PTSD causally increases CAD (IVW OR=1.53, 95% CIs=1.19-1.96, p=0.001), HF (OR=1.44, CIs=1.08-1.92, p=0.012), and to a lesser degree hypertension (OR=1.25, CIs=1.05-1.49, p=0.012). While insomnia, smoking, alcohol, and inflammation were important mediators, independent causal effects also remained.

Conclusions

In addition to shared genetic liability between PTSD and CVD, we present strong evidence for causal effects of PTSD on CVD. Crucially, we implicate specific lifestyle and biological mediators (insomnia, substance use, inflammation) which has important implications for interventions to prevent CVD in PTSD patients.

Regional differences in mortality risk and in attenuating or aggravating factors in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

People with schizophrenia die prematurely, yet regional differences are unclear. PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review/random-effects meta-analysis of cohort studies assessing mortality relative risk (RR) versus any control group, and moderators, in people with ICD/DSM-defined schizophrenia, comparing countries and continents. We conducted subgroup, meta-regression analyses, and quality assessment. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were suicide-, /natural-cause- and other-cause-related mortality. We included 135 studies from Europe (n = 70), North-America (n = 29), Asia (n = 33), Oceania (n = 2), Africa (n = 1). In incident plus prevalent schizophrenia, differences across continents emerged for all-cause mortality (highest in Africa, RR=5.98, 95 %C.I.=4.09-8.74, k = 1, lowest in North-America, RR=2.14, 95 %C.I.=1.92-2.38, k = 16), suicide (highest in Oceania, RR=13.5, 95 %C.I.=10.08-18.07, k = 1, lowest in North-America, RR=4.4, 95 %C.I.=4.07-4.76, k = 6), but not for natural-cause mortality. Europe had the largest association between antipsychotics and lower all-cause mortality/suicide (Asia had the smallest or no significant association, respectively), without differences for natural-cause mortality. Higher country socio-demographic index significantly moderated larger suicide-related and smaller natural-cause-related mortality risk in incident schizophrenia, with reversed associations in prevalent schizophrenia. Antipsychotics had a larger/smaller protective association in incident/prevalent schizophrenia regarding all-cause mortality, and smaller protective association for suicide-related mortality in prevalent schizophrenia. Additional regional differences emerged in incident schizophrenia, across countries, and secondary outcomes. Significant regional differences emerged for all-cause, cause-specific and suicide-related mortality. Natural-cause death was homogeneously increased globally. Moderators differed across countries. Global initiatives are needed to improve physical health in people with schizophrenia, local studies to identify actionable moderators.

The risk of stroke and post-stroke mortality in people with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis study

Sources of heterogeneity in risk of stroke and mortality risk following acute-stroke in schizophrenia are understudied. We systematically searched four electronic-databases until 1-November-2022, and conducted meta-analysis to synthesize estimates of stroke-risk and post-stroke mortality for schizophrenia patients relative to non-schizophrenia counterparts. Subgroup-analyses and meta-regression models stratified by sex, nature of sample (incident/prevalent), geographical region, study-period and time-frame following stroke were conducted when applicable. Fifteen and 5 studies were included for meta-analysis of stroke-risk (n=18,368,253; 129,095 schizophrenia patients) and all-cause post-stroke mortality (n=289,231; 4,477 schizophrenia patients), respectively. Schizophrenia patients exhibited elevated stroke-risk (relative-risk =1.55[95% CI:1.31-1.84]) relative to non-schizophrenia controls. Schizophrenia was associated with increased stroke-risk in both sexes, study-periods of 1990s and 2000s, and irrespective of nature of sample and geographical regions. Meta-regression revealed regional differences in relative-risk for stroke, but limited by small number of studies. After removal of an outlier study, meta-analysis demonstrated that schizophrenia was associated with increased overall (hazard-ratio=1.37[1.30-1.44]), short-term (≤90 days; 1.29[1.14-1.46]) and longer-term (≥1 year; 1.45[1.32-1.60]) post-stroke mortality rates. Raised post-stroke mortality rate for schizophrenia was observed irrespective of nature of sample, geographical regions and study-periods. Taken together, schizophrenia is associated with increased stroke-risk and post-stroke mortality. Multilevel-interventions are required to reduce these physical-health disparities.

Incidence, prevalence, and global burden of schizophrenia - data, with critical appraisal, from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019

Schizophrenia substantially contributes to the burden of mental disorders. Schizophrenia's burden and epidemiological estimates in some countries have been published, but updated estimates of prevalence, incidence, and schizophrenia-related disability at the global level are lacking. Here, we present the data from and critically discuss the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study data, focusing on temporal changes in schizophrenia's prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally. From 1990 to 2019, schizophrenia raw prevalence (14.2 to 23.6 million), incidence (941,000 to 1.3 million), and DALYs (9.1 to 15.1 million) increased by over 65%, 37%, and 65% respectively, while age-standardized estimates remained stable globally. In countries with high socio-demographic index (SDI), both prevalence and DALYs increased, while in those with low SDI, the age-standardized incidence decreased and DALYs remained stable. The male/female ratio of burden of schizophrenia has remained stable in the overall population over the past 30 years (i.e., M/F = 1.1), yet decreasing from younger to older age groups (raw prevalence in females higher than males after age 65, with males having earlier age of onset, and females longer life expectancy). Results of this work suggest that schizophrenia's raw prevalence, incidence, and burden have been increasing since 1990. Age-adjusted estimates did not reduce. Schizophrenia detection in low SDI countries is suboptimal, and its prevention/treatment in high SDI countries should be improved, considering its increasing prevalence. Schizophrenia sex ratio inverts throughout the lifespan, suggesting different age of onset and survival by sex. However, prevalence and burden estimates for schizophrenia are probably underestimated. GBD does not account for mortality from schizophrenia (and other mental disorders, apart from anorexia nervosa).

A scoping review of cardiovascular risk factor screening rates in general or family practice attendees living with severe mental ill-health

BACKGROUND

Primary care is essential to address the unmet physical health needs of people with severe mental ill-health. Continued poor cardiovascular health demands improved screening and preventive care. No previous reviews have examined primary care cardiovascular screening rates for people living with severe mental ill-health; termed in the literature "severe mental illness".

METHODS

A scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was conducted. Cardiovascular risk factor screening rates in adults with severe mental ill-health were examined in general or family practices (as the main delivery sites of primary care). Literature published between 2001 and 2023 was searched using electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Web of Science, PsychINFO and CINAHL. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and conducted a full-text review. The term "severe mental illness" was applied as the term applied in the literature over the past decades. Study information, participant details and cardiovascular risk factor screening rates for people with 'severe mental illness' were extracted and synthesised.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included. Nine studies were from the United Kingdom and one each from Canada, Spain, New Zealand and the Netherlands. The general and/or family practice cardiovascular disease screening rates varied considerably across studies, ranging from 0 % to 75 % for people grouped within the term "severe mental illness". Lipids and blood pressure were the most screened risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular disease screening rates in primary care settings for adults living with severe mental ill-health varied considerably. Tailored and targeted cardiovascular risk screening will enable more comprehensive preventive care to improve heart health outcomes and address this urgent health inequity.

Cardiometabolic screening and monitoring in patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs in primary care: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the level of guideline adherence for cardiometabolic health monitoring for patients prescribed antipsychotic medicines in UK primary care.

METHODS

In this population-based retrospective open cohort study, we used dataset of patients from the IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD) database between 1st January 2003 to 31st December 2018. Clinical Read codes were used to identify a cohort of adult patients with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia and at least four prescriptions of an anti-psychotic medication within 12 months of diagnosis. We then extracted data in relation to monitoring of cardiometabolic parameters (body compositions, lipids, and glucose outcomes) at baseline, then at six weeks, 12 weeks, and then 12 months. The frequency of outcome monitoring was described using descriptive statistics.

FINDINGS

A total of 11,435 patients were eligible and of them (n = 9707; 84·8%) were prescribed second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Only a small portion of the cohort (≈2·0%) received complete monitoring (at time points) for certain outcomes. Just over half the patients (n = 6599, 52%) had evidence of any cardiometabolic baseline testing for any of the study outcomes and the high majority had at least one abnormal lab value at baseline (n = 4627, 96·7%).

INTERPRETATION

In UK primary care, cardiometabolic monitoring practices among patients prescribed antipsychotics remain suboptimal. There is a need to promote guideline adherence to prevent adverse outcomes in antipsychotic users.

Guideline adherence for cardiometabolic monitoring of patients prescribed antipsychotic medications in primary care: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Despite their known effectiveness, antipsychotics possess significant cardiometabolic adverse event profiles. Guidelines emphasise routine monitoring, however, practices are known to be suboptimal.

AIM

To investigate the level of cardiometabolic monitoring among people prescribed antipsychotic therapy in primary care, and patient-related factors that may influence monitoring patterns.

METHOD

Data were collected for patients with mental disorders and prescribed antipsychotics at two general practices in England (February 2016-February 2021). The main outcome measures were the proportion of patients with evidence of monitoring for cardiometabolic parameters (body composition, anthropometrics, lipids, glucose outcomes). Regression analysis was used to explore factors predicting monitoring practices.

RESULTS

Data from 497 patients were included. The proportion of patients receiving cardiometabolic monitoring at least once yearly varied across different parameters. Patients were mostly monitored for BP (92.0%), body weight (BMI > 85.0%) and HDL (72.0%), but to a lesser extent for other lipid parameters (non-HDL < 2.0%) and blood glucose (< 2.0%). Ageing (OR:2.0-7.0, p < 0.001) and chronic conditions (e.g., CVD and Type 2 DM, p < 0.05) were associated with frequent cardiometabolic monitoring. Conversely, antipsychotics with high metabolic risks (olanzapine), patients prescribed antipsychotic polypharmacy (≥ 2 antipsychotics) and cardiometabolic dysregulations (e.g., dyslipidaemias) did not improve monitoring frequencies.

CONCLUSION

Cardiometabolic health monitoring was generally infrequent, irregular, and did not change in response to abnormal test results or antipsychotic treatment with high cardiometabolic risks, suggesting more efforts need to be made to ensure the guidelines for cardiometabolic monitoring are followed. Future studies should investigate practices by using a large UK primary care database.

Association of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia with the duration of inpatient treatments and recurrence of schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

People with schizophrenia have an increased cardiovascular risk with higher mortality than the general population. Only a few studies have investigated the impact of cardiovascular risk on the later course of schizophrenia. This study aims to explore the association of cardiovascular risk factors, as detected during an index inpatient treatment for schizophrenia, with the duration of psychiatric inpatient treatments and number of inpatient admissions in the subsequent 10 years, in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Cardiovascular risk factors of 736 patients with schizophrenia, identified through retrospective chart review, were assessed by hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia during an index inpatient stay. The duration of inpatient treatments, assessed by the total duration of psychiatric inpatient treatments in days, and the number of inpatient admissions, over the next 10 years were assessed and analyzed for an association with cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Hypertension associated with longer duration of inpatient treatments and higher number of inpatient admissions. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia associated with a higher number of psychiatric inpatient treatments. Hypertension remained significantly associated with the duration of inpatient treatments (β = 0.174; p < 0.001) and the number of inpatient treatments (β = 0.144; p < 0.001), when adjusting for age, sex and BMI.

CONCLUSION

Out of the investigated cardiovascular risk factors documented during an index inpatient stay for schizophrenia, only hypertension associated with an increased duration of in-hospital stay and an increased number of re-hospitalizations during the subsequent ten years when adjusting for confounders. Screening for hypertension should be considered in all patients with schizophrenia.

Therapeutic outcomes wide association scan of different antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia: Randomized clinical trials and multi-ancestry validation

AIM

This study identified discrepant therapeutic outcomes of antipsychotics.

METHODS

A total of 5191 patients with schizophrenia were enrolled, 3030 as discovery cohort, 1395 as validation cohort, and 766 as multi-ancestry validation cohort. Therapeutic Outcomes Wide Association Scan was conducted. Types of antipsychotics (one antipsychotic vs other antipsychotics) were dependent variables, therapeutic outcomes including efficacy and safety were independent variables.

RESULTS

In discovery cohort, olanzapine related to higher risk of weight gain (AIWG, OR: 2.21-2.86), liver dysfunction (OR: 1.75-2.33), sedation (OR: 1.76-2.86), increased lipid level (OR: 2.04-2.12), and lower risk of extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS, OR: 0.14-0.46); risperidone related to higher risk of hyperprolactinemia (OR: 12.45-20.53); quetiapine related to higher risk of sedation (OR = 1.73), palpitation (OR = 2.87), increased lipid level (OR = 1.69), lower risk of hyperprolactinemia (OR: 0.09-0.11), and EPS (OR: 0.15-0.44); aripiprazole related to lower risk of hyperprolactinemia (OR: 0.09-0.14), AIWG (OR = 0.44), sedation (OR: 0.33-0.47), and QTc prolongation (β = -2.17); ziprasidone related to higher risk of increased QT interval (β range: 3.11-3.22), nausea (OR: 3.22-3.91), lower risk of AIWG (OR: 0.27-0.46), liver dysfunction (OR: 0.41-0.38), and increased lipid level (OR: 0.41-0.55); haloperidol related to higher risk of EPS (OR: 2.64-6.29), hyperprolactinemia (OR: 5.45-9.44), and increased salivation (OR: 3.50-3.68). Perphenazine related to higher risk of EPS (OR: 1.89-2.54). Higher risk of liver dysfunction in olanzapine and lower risk of hyperprolactinemia in aripiprazole were confirmed in validation cohort, and higher risk of AIWG in olanzapine and hyperprolactinemia in risperidone were confirmed in multi-ancestry validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

Future precision medicine should focus on personalized side-effects.

Claims data analysis of the health care utilization for patients with coronary heart disease and mental comorbidity

OBJECTIVE

Mental disorders (MD) are a common comorbidity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent mental disorders are diagnosed as comorbidity in patients with CHD and whether adequate therapeutic measures are taken.

METHODS

Claims data from 4435 Cologne citizens with diagnosed CHD and a hospital stay due to CHD in 2015 were examined through a longitudinal analysis. The data were analyzed descriptively with regard to mental disorders, investigating diagnostic examinations performed, prescriptions for psychotropic drugs, and utilization of psychotherapy. We differentiated between pre-existing MD, existing in the year before the CHD-related hospital stay, and incident MD with new onset during or within six months after hospitalization.

RESULTS

Psychodiagnostic examinations for mental disorders occurred very rarely during cardiological hospitalization (0.04%) and psychiatric/psychosomatic consultation sessions rarely (5%). The longitudinal analysis showed a high rate of pre-existing MDs (56%, n = 2490) and a new diagnosis of mental disorders in 7% (n = 302) of the patients. Within one year after inpatient treatment for CHD, psychotropic medication was prescribed in 64-67% of patients with newly diagnosed affective or neurotic, adjustment/somatoform disorder and 10-13% received outpatient psychotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate low rates of inpatient diagnostic examinations and low rates of adequate treatment of mental disorders in patients from Cologne with CHD and new onset mental disorders. The rate of prescriptions of psychopharmacotherapy after hospitalization due to CHD exceeds that of the utilization of outpatient psychotherapy.

An umbrella review of candidate predictors of response, remission, recovery, and relapse across mental disorders

We aimed to identify diagnosis-specific/transdiagnostic/transoutcome multivariable candidate predictors (MCPs) of key outcomes in mental disorders. We conducted an umbrella review (protocol  link ), searching MEDLINE/Embase (19/07/2022), including systematic reviews of studies reporting on MCPs of response, remission, recovery, or relapse, in DSM/ICD-defined mental disorders. From published predictors, we filtered MCPs, validating MCP criteria. AMSTAR2/PROBAST measured quality/risk of bias of systematic reviews/individual studies. We included 117 systematic reviews, 403 studies, 299,888 individuals with mental disorders, testing 796 prediction models. Only 4.3%/1.2% of the systematic reviews/individual studies were at low risk of bias. The most frequently targeted outcome was remission (36.9%), the least frequent was recovery (2.5%). Studies mainly focused on depressive (39.4%), substance-use (17.9%), and schizophrenia-spectrum (11.9%) disorders. We identified numerous MCPs within disorders for response, remission and relapse, but none for recovery. Transdiagnostic MCPs of remission included lower disease-specific symptoms (disorders = 5), female sex/higher education (disorders = 3), and quality of life/functioning (disorders = 2). Transdiagnostic MCPs of relapse included higher disease-specific symptoms (disorders = 5), higher depressive symptoms (disorders = 3), and younger age/higher anxiety symptoms/global illness severity/ number of previous episodes/negative life events (disorders = 2). Finally, positive trans-outcome MCPs for depression included less negative life events/depressive symptoms (response, remission, less relapse), female sex (response, remission) and better functioning (response, less relapse); for schizophrenia, less positive symptoms/higher depressive symptoms (remission, less relapse); for substance use disorder, marital status/higher education (remission, less relapse). Male sex, younger age, more clinical symptoms and comorbid mental/physical symptoms/disorders were poor prognostic factors, while positive factors included social contacts and employment, absent negative life events, higher education, early access/intervention, lower disease-specific and comorbid mental and physical symptoms/conditions, across mental disorders. Current data limitations include high risk of bias of studies and extraction of single predictors from multivariable models. Identified MCPs can inform future development, validation or refinement of prediction models of key outcomes in mental disorders.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occurs with other psychiatric and physical diseases. However, available evidence on associations between ADHD and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is mixed. To systematically review, quantitatively synthesize, and appraise available evidence on the link between ADHD with CVDs, we searched relevant articles in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from inception to May 1, 2022. Study quality was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and random-effects model meta-analyses were performed. A total of 18,391,169 (ADHD: n = 421,224) individuals from 11 studies were included in our systematic review and 8,196,648 (ADHD = 332,619) individuals from five studies were included in the main meta-analysis of adjusted estimates. Pooled estimates showed that ADHD was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVDs in analyses based on adjusted effect size (odds ratio (OR) = 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19-2.23, Q = 140.74, P Q < 0.001, I 2 = 97.2%). When restricted among adults, the heterogeneity declined to null (OR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.14-2.62, Q = 6.28, P Q = 0.10, I 2 = 6.28%), suggesting age might be the main source of heterogeneity. In subgroup analyses, we found increased risk of CVDs associated with ADHD across age groups, type of CVDs, and data sources. This systematic review and meta-analyses indicate that ADHD is associated with increased risk for CVDs, but further studies with various study designs are warranted to advance the understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the observed association between ADHD and CVDs. Additional research is also needed to resolve the role of ADHD medications which remains unclear due to the limited number of primary studies exploring this issue.

HbA1c recording in patients following a first diagnosis of serious mental illness: the South London and Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre case register

OBJECTIVES

To investigate factors associated with the recording of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in people with first diagnoses of serious mental illness (SMI) in a large mental healthcare provider, and factors associated with HbA1c levels, when recorded. To our knowledge this is the first such investigation, although attention to dysglycaemia in SMI is an increasing priority in mental healthcare.

DESIGN

The study was primarily descriptive in nature, seeking to ascertain the frequency of HbA1c recording in the mental healthcare sector for people following first SMI diagnosis.

SETTINGS

A large mental healthcare provider, the South London and Maudsley National Health Service Trust.

PARTICIPANTS

Using electronic mental health records data, we ascertained patients with first SMI diagnoses (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) from 2008 to 2018.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Recording or not of HbA1c level was ascertained from routine local laboratory data and supplemented by a natural language processing (NLP) algorithm for extracting recorded values in text fields (precision 0.89%, recall 0.93%). Age, gender, ethnic group, year of diagnosis, and SMI diagnosis were investigated as covariates in relation to recording or not of HbA1c and first recorded levels.

RESULTS

Of 21 462 patients in the sample (6546 bipolar disorder; 14 916 schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder; mean age 38.8 years, 49% female), 4106 (19.1%) had at least one HbA1c result recorded from laboratory data, increasing to 6901 (32.2%) following NLP. HbA1c recording was independently more likely in non-white ethnic groups (black compared with white: OR 2.45, 95% CI 2.29 to 2.62), and was negatively associated with age (OR per year increase 0.93, 0.92-0.95), female gender (0.83, 0.78-0.88) and bipolar disorder (0.49, 0.45-0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Over a 10-year period, relatively low level of recording of HbA1c was observed, although this has increased over time and ascertainment was increased with text extraction. It remains important to improve the routine monitoring of dysglycaemia in these at-risk disorders.

Multimorbidity clusters among people with serious mental illness: a representative primary and secondary data linkage cohort study

BACKGROUND

People with serious mental illness (SMI) experience higher mortality partially attributable to higher long-term condition (LTC) prevalence. However, little is known about multiple LTCs (MLTCs) clustering in this population.

METHODS

People from South London with SMI and two or more existing LTCs aged 18+ at diagnosis were included using linked primary and mental healthcare records, 2012-2020. Latent class analysis (LCA) determined MLTC classes and multinominal logistic regression examined associations between demographic/clinical characteristics and latent class membership.

RESULTS

The sample included 1924 patients (mean (s.d.) age 48.2 (17.3) years). Five latent classes were identified: 'substance related' (24.9%), 'atopic' (24.2%), 'pure affective' (30.4%), 'cardiovascular' (14.1%), and 'complex multimorbidity' (6.4%). Patients had on average 7-9 LTCs in each cluster. Males were at increased odds of MLTCs in all four clusters, compared to the 'pure affective'. Compared to the largest cluster ('pure affective'), the 'substance related' and the 'atopic' clusters were younger [odds ratios (OR) per year increase 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-1.00) and 0.96 (0.95-0.97) respectively], and the 'cardiovascular' and 'complex multimorbidity' clusters were older (ORs 1.09 (1.07-1.10) and 1.16 (1.14-1.18) respectively). The 'substance related' cluster was more likely to be White, the 'cardiovascular' cluster more likely to be Black (compared to White; OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.10-2.79), and both more likely to have schizophrenia, compared to other clusters.

CONCLUSION

The current study identified five latent class MLTC clusters among patients with SMI. An integrated care model for treating MLTCs in this population is recommended to improve multimorbidity care.

Increased Metabolic Potential, Efficacy, and Safety of Emerging Treatments in Schizophrenia

Patients with schizophrenia experience a broad range of detrimental health outcomes resulting from illness severity, heterogeneity of disease, lifestyle behaviors, and adverse effects of antipsychotics. Because of these various factors, patients with schizophrenia have a much higher risk of cardiometabolic abnormalities than people without psychiatric illness. Although exposure to many antipsychotics increases cardiometabolic risk factors, mortality is higher in patients who are not treated versus those who are treated with antipsychotics. This indicates both direct and indirect benefits of adequately treated illness, as well as the need for beneficial medications that result in fewer cardiometabolic risk factors and comorbidities. The aim of the current narrative review was to outline the association between cardiometabolic dysfunction and schizophrenia, as well as discuss the confluence of factors that increase cardiometabolic risk in this patient population. An increased understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia has guided discovery of novel treatments that do not directly target dopamine and that not only do not add, but may potentially minimize relevant cardiometabolic burden for these patients. Key discoveries that have advanced the understanding of the neural circuitry and pathophysiology of schizophrenia now provide possible pathways toward the development of new and effective treatments that may mitigate the risk of metabolic dysfunction in these patients. Novel targets and preclinical and clinical data on emerging treatments, such as glycine transport inhibitors, nicotinic and muscarinic receptor agonists, and trace amine-associated receptor-1 agonists, offer promise toward relevant therapeutic advancements. Numerous areas of investigation currently exist with the potential to considerably progress our knowledge and treatment of schizophrenia.

Gone Too Soon: priorities for action to prevent premature mortality associated with mental illness and mental distress

Globally, too many people die prematurely from suicide and the physical comorbidities associated with mental illness and mental distress. The purpose of this Review is to mobilise the translation of evidence into prioritised actions that reduce this inequity. The mental health research charity, MQ Mental Health Research, convened an international panel that used roadmapping methods and review evidence to identify key factors, mechanisms, and solutions for premature mortality across the social-ecological system. We identified 12 key overarching risk factors and mechanisms, with more commonalities than differences across the suicide and physical comorbidities domains. We also identified 18 actionable solutions across three organising principles: the integration of mental and physical health care; the prioritisation of prevention while strengthening treatment; and the optimisation of intervention synergies across social-ecological levels and the intervention cycle. These solutions included accessible, integrated high-quality primary care; early life, workplace, and community-based interventions co-designed by the people they should serve; decriminalisation of suicide and restriction of access to lethal means; stigma reduction; reduction of income, gender, and racial inequality; and increased investment. The time to act is now, to rebuild health-care systems, leverage changes in funding landscapes, and address the effects of stigma, discrimination, marginalisation, gender violence, and victimisation.

All-cause and cause-specific mortality among people with bipolar disorder: a large-scale systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with premature mortality. All-cause and specific mortality risks in this population remain unclear, and more studies are still needed to further understand this issue and guide individual and public strategies to prevent mortality in bipolar disorder Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing mortality risk in people with BD versus the general population was conducted. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, whilst secondary outcomes were mortality due to suicide, natural, unnatural, and specific-causes mortality.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven studies were included (BD; n = 678,353). All-cause mortality was increased in people with BD (RR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.89-2.16, k = 39). Specific-cause mortality was highest for suicide (RR = 11.69, 95% CI: 9.22-14.81, k = 25). Risk of death due to unnatural causes (RR = 7.29, 95% CI: 6.41-8.28, k = 17) and natural causes (RR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.75-2.06, k = 17) were also increased. Among specific natural causes analyzed, infectious causes had the higher RR (RR = 4,38, 95%CI: 1.5-12.69, k = 3), but the analysis was limited by the inclusion of few studies. Mortality risk due to respiratory (RR = 3.18, 95% CI: 2.55-3.96, k = 6), cardiovascular (RR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.53-2.01, k = 27), and cerebrovascular (RR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.34-1.84, k = 13) causes were increased as well. No difference was identified in mortality by cancer (RR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.88-1.11, k = 16). Subgroup analyses and meta-regression did not affect the findings.

CONCLUSION

Results presented in this meta-analysis show that risk of premature death in BD is not only due to suicide and unnatural causes, but somatic comorbidities are also implicated. Not only the prevention of suicide, but also the promotion of physical health and the prevention of physical conditions in individuals with BD may mitigate the premature mortality in this population. Notwithstanding this is to our knowledge the largest synthesis of evidence on BD-related mortality, further well-designed studies are still warranted to inform this field.

Breast Cancer Screening Rates Among Medicaid Beneficiaries With Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

Women with serious mental illness are more likely to be diagnosed as having late-stage breast cancer than women without serious mental illness, suggesting a disparity in screening mammography. This study aimed to compare screening mammography rates in a nationally representative sample of Medicaid beneficiaries with and without schizophrenia.

METHODS

Medicaid Analytic eXtract files, 2007-2012, were used to identify a cohort of women ages 40-64 with schizophrenia who were eligible for Medicaid but not Medicare (N=87,572 in 2007 and N=114,341 in 2012) and a cohort without schizophrenia, frequency-matched by age, race-ethnicity, and state (N=97,003 in 2007 and N=126,461 in 2012). Annual screening mammography rates were calculated and adjusted for demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between beneficiary characteristics and screening mammography rates.

RESULTS

In 2012, 27.2% of women with schizophrenia completed screening mammography, compared with 26.8% of the control cohort. In the schizophrenia cohort, American Indian/Alaskan Native women had significantly lower odds of receiving mammography (OR=0.82, p=0.02) than White women, whereas Hispanic/Latina women had higher odds (OR=1.16, p<0.001). Women with schizophrenia and a nonalcohol-related substance use disorder had lower odds of receiving mammography (OR=0.74, p<0.001) than women without a substance use disorder. Having at least one medical visit in the past year (vs. no visits) increased the odds of receiving screening mammography (OR=5.08, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Screening mammography rates were similar between Medicaid-insured women with and those without schizophrenia. Interventions to increase uptake may need to focus on improving socioeconomic conditions and primary care engagement for vulnerable populations, regardless of psychiatric condition.

The Role of Bias in Clinical Decision-Making of People with Serious Mental Illness and Medical Co-morbidities: a Scoping Review

The aim of this review was to examine the evidence for the impact of explicit and implicit biases against mental illness on the clinical decision-making of primary care physicians, medical students, and nurses when they are providing care to individuals with serious mental illness for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, EBSCO host, and PsychINFO. A total of 18 studies published between 1996 and 2020 were reviewed and summarized. The studies were divided into two groups-studies that used a simulation or vignette methodology and those with a qualitative approach (interviews and focus groups). Of the simulation/vignette studies that allowed participants to report what they would have done in various clinical scenarios, there were roughly equal numbers of neutral or negative clinical decisions that represented 80% of the relevant behavioral results. Only 21% of the findings demonstrated a clinical decision that was favorable towards people with mental illness. Of the qualitative studies, all of the studies reported behaviors (either self-reported or observed) that were likely to be biased against people with mental illness, while 3 of the studies reported mixed results. Healthcare provider bias against individuals with mental illness does exist and impacts clinical decisions negatively. Much more empirical work needs to be done to determine the full extent and impact of the problem, including how these decisions affect the lives of individuals with mental illness.

Approach to schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is the most common of a group of psychotic disorders that occur in approximately 3% of the population over the lifespan. It has clear genetic antecedents, which are shared across the spectrum of psychotic disorders; however, a range of other biological and social factors influence the onset and treatment of the disorder. Schizophrenia is diagnosed by a characteristic set of symptoms (positive, negative, disorganisation, cognitive and affective) accompanied by a functional decline. Investigations are used to exclude other organic causes of psychosis and to provide a baseline for the negative effects of pharmacological treatments. Treatment requires a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Physical health is poor in this group of people and this is not helped by inconsistent care from health services. Although earlier intervention has improved the immediate outcomes, the longer-term outcome has not significantly shifted.

Association of severe mental illness and septic shock case fatality rate in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A national population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder) have been reported to have excess mortality rates from infection compared to patients without SMI, but whether SMI is associated with higher or lower case fatality rates (CFRs) among infected patients remains unclear. The primary objective was to compare the 90-day CFR in septic shock patients with and without SMI admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), after adjusting for social disadvantage and physical health comorbidity.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study of all adult patients with septic shock admitted to the ICU in France between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, using the French national hospital database. We matched (within hospitals) in a ratio of 1:up to 4 patients with and without SMI (matched-controls) for age (5 years range), sex, degree of social deprivation, and year of hospitalization. Cox regression models were conducted with adjustment for smoking, alcohol and other substance addiction, overweight or obesity, Charlson comorbidity index, presence of trauma, surgical intervention, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score, organ failures, source of hospital admission (home, transfer from other hospital ward), and the length of time between hospital admission and ICU admission. The primary outcome was 90-day CFR. Secondary outcomes were 30- and 365-day CFRs, and clinical profiles of patients. A total of 187,587 adult patients with septic shock admitted to the ICU were identified, including 3,812 with schizophrenia, 2,258 with bipolar disorder, and 5,246 with major depressive disorder. Compared to matched controls, the 90-day CFR was significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia (1,052/3,269 = 32.2% versus 5,000/10,894 = 45.5%; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65,0.75, p < 0.001), bipolar disorder (632/1,923 = 32.9% versus 2,854/6,303 = 45.3%; aHR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.63,0.76, p < 0.001), and major depressive disorder (1,834/4,432 = 41.4% versus 6,798/14,452 = 47.1%; aHR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.81,0.90, p < 0.001). Study limitations include inability to capture deaths occurring outside hospital, lack of data on processes of care, and problems associated with missing data and miscoding in medico-administrative databases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that, after adjusting for social disadvantage and physical health comorbidity, there are improved septic shock outcome in patients with SMI compared to patients without. This finding may be the result of different immunological profiles and exposures to psychotropic medications, which should be further explored.

Effect of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors among Obese/Overweight Individuals Treated with Antipsychotic Drug Classes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) constitute a drug class primarily developed for the treatment of subjects with type 2 diabetes, although they have also provided significant benefit for subjects with obesity without underlying diabetes. Individuals with psychotic disorders who are receiving antipsychotic treatment are a patient population at risk of developing obesity, which is linked to other metabolic disturbances. Methods: We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library from inception to 1 December 2022, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling obese or overweight adult subjects with an underlying psychotic disorder treated with antipsychotic drugs, randomized either to GLP-1RAs or a control. We set as the primary efficacy outcome the change in body weight and as secondary efficacy outcomes the change in body mass index (BMI) and in waist circumference, along with indices of glycemia, lipid profile, and blood pressure. Results: We pooled data from 4 trials (2 with liraglutide and 2 with exenatide) in a total of 199 enrolled subjects. GLP-1RA treatment, compared to control, resulted in a significant decrease in body weight by 3.8 kg [mean difference (MD) = −3.80, 95% CI; −6.35 to −1.24, I2 = 64%]. In addition, GLP-1RA treatment led to a significant decrease in BMI, compared to control, of 1.04 kg/m2 (MD = −1.04, 95% CI; −1.92 to −0.17, I2 = 35%). However, no significant effect on waist circumference was shown (MD = −3.2, 95% CI; −6.47 to 0.08, I2 = 88%). A significant improvement in glycemia and lipid profiles was also demonstrated with GLP-1RAs. No subgroup difference between liraglutide and exenatide was shown, and the use of GLP-1RAs did not increase the risk for treatment discontinuation compared to the control group. Conclusion: Treatment with GLP-1RAs can significantly improve weight loss and other cardiometabolic risk factors in obese people taking antipsychotic medications.

Impact of mental disorders on clinical outcomes of physical diseases: an umbrella review assessing population attributable fraction and generalized impact fraction

Empirical evidence indicates a significant bidirectional association between mental disorders and physical diseases, but the prospective impact of men-tal disorders on clinical outcomes of physical diseases has not been comprehensively outlined. In this PRISMA- and COSMOS-E-compliant umbrella review, we searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, up to March 15, 2022, to identify systematic reviews with meta-analysis that examined the prospective association between any mental disorder and clinical outcomes of physical diseases. Primary outcomes were disease-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were disease-specific incidence, functioning and/or disability, symptom severity, quality of life, recurrence or progression, major cardiac events, and treatment-related outcomes. Additional inclusion criteria were further applied to primary studies. Random effect models were employed, along with I² statistic, 95% prediction intervals, small-study effects test, excess significance bias test, and risk of bias (ROBIS) assessment. Associations were classified into five credibility classes of evidence (I to IV and non-significant) according to established criteria, complemented by sensitivity and subgroup analyses to examine the robustness of the main analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using a new package for conducting umbrella reviews (https://metaumbrella.org). Population attributable fraction (PAF) and generalized impact fraction (GIF) were then calculated for class I-III associations. Forty-seven systematic reviews with meta-analysis, encompassing 251 non-overlapping primary studies and reporting 74 associations, were included (68% were at low risk of bias at the ROBIS assessment). Altogether, 43 primary outcomes (disease-specific mortality: n=17; all-cause mortality: n=26) and 31 secondary outcomes were investigated. Although 72% of associations were statistically significant (p<0.05), only two showed convincing (class I) evidence: that between depressive disorders and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure (hazard ratio, HR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.26-1.65), and that between schizophrenia and cardiovascular mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases (risk ratio, RR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.36-1.75). Six associations showed highly suggestive (class II) evidence: those between depressive disorders and all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (HR=2.84, 95% CI: 2.00-4.03) and with kidney failure (HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.31-1.51); that between depressive disorders and major cardiac events in patients with myocardial infarction (odds ratio, OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.36-1.70); that between depressive disorders and dementia in patients with diabetes mellitus (HR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.77-2.52); that between alcohol use disorder and decompensated liver cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C (RR=3.15, 95% CI: 2.87-3.46); and that between schizophrenia and cancer mortality in patients with cancer (standardized mean ratio, SMR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.41-2.15). Sensitivity/subgroup analyses confirmed these results. The largest PAFs were 30.56% (95% CI: 27.67-33.49) for alcohol use disorder and decompensated liver cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C, 26.81% (95% CI: 16.61-37.67) for depressive disorders and all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus, 13.68% (95% CI: 9.87-17.58) for depressive disorders and major cardiac events in patients with myocardial infarction, 11.99% (95% CI: 8.29-15.84) for schizophrenia and cardiovascular mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases, and 11.59% (95% CI: 9.09-14.14) for depressive disorders and all-cause mortality in patients with kidney failure. The GIFs confirmed the preventive capacity of these associations. This umbrella review demonstrates that mental disorders increase the risk of a poor clinical outcome in several physical diseases. Prevention targeting mental disorders - particularly alcohol use disorders, depressive disorders, and schizophrenia - can reduce the incidence of adverse clinical outcomes in people with physical diseases. These findings can inform clinical practice and trans-speciality preventive approaches cutting across psychiatric and somatic medicine.

Excess resource use and costs of physical comorbidities in individuals with mental health disorders: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Individuals with mental health disorders (MHDs) have worse physical health than the general population, utilise healthcare resources more frequently and intensively, incurring higher costs. We provide a first comprehensive overview and quantitative synthesis of literature on the magnitude of excess resource use and costs for those with MHDs and comorbid physical health conditions (PHCs). This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42017075319) searched studies comparing resource use or costs of individuals with MHDs and comorbid PHCs versus individuals without comorbid conditions published between 2007 and 2021. We conducted narrative and quantitative syntheses, using random-effects meta-analyses to explore ranges of excess resource use and costs across care segments, comparing to MHD only, PHC only, or general population controls (GPC). Of 20,075 records, 228 and 100 were eligible for narrative and quantitative syntheses, respectively. Most studies were from the US, covered depression or schizophrenia, reporting endocrine/metabolic or circulatory comorbidities. Frequently investigated healthcare segments were inpatient, outpatient, emergency care and medications. Evidence on lost productivity, long-term and informal care was rare. Substantial differences exist between MHDs, with depressive disorder tending towards lower average excess resource use and cost estimates, while excess resource use ranges between +6% to +320% and excess costs between +14% to +614%. PHCs are major drivers of resource use and costs for individuals with MHDs, affecting care segments differently. Significant physical health gains and cost savings are potentially achievable through prevention, earlier identification, management and treatment, using more integrated care approaches. Current international evidence, however, is heterogeneous with limited geographical representativeness and comparability.

A comparative review of the epidemiology of mental disorders in Australia and India

Mental illness and substance use disorders have been increasing worldwide. Mental illness has a significant impact upon the lives of the individual as well as their loved ones. Mental disorders are known to result in a high level of disability. This article provides a comparative review of the epidemiology of mental disorders in Australia and India, summarizing and comparing prevalence rates in both countries based upon available data. Overall, it is evident that Australia has higher prevalence rates of mental disorders than India, across most diagnostic groups. Australia has the highest prevalence of anxiety disorders whereas India has the highest prevalence of substance use disorders; including tobacco use disorders. The next most prevalent mental disorders in India are depressive disorders. However, there are demographic parameters such as gender and age as well as service-provision differences across the countries that need to be factored into any interpretation of the data. There are also problems associated with different diagnostic instruments with language and cultural nuances that may impact comparisons. We suggest that a joint epidemiological survey between the two countries would help better understand and delineate the key similarities pertaining to the epidemiology of mental disorders in Australia and India. This will in turn assist with the development of policy and treatment of mental disorders.

Psychiatric diseases and dementia and their association with open-angle glaucoma in the total population of Stockholm

OBJECTIVE

Association between some somatic diseases and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) are well-known. We aimed to study psychiatric diseases and dementia and their association with POAG in the total population of Region Stockholm.

METHODS

All living individuals above 18 years of age who resided in Stockholm County, Sweden, on 1 January 2017 (N = 1,703,675) were included. Data were obtained from administrative regional data. We identified individuals with specified psychiatric disorders in the years 2010-2019, and further identified those with an incident diagnosis of POAG during 2012-2018. Analyses were performed by age-group and sex. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusted for age and neighborhood socio-economic status for individuals with POAG, and used individuals without POAG as referents.

RESULTS

A total of 16,299 cases of POAG were identified, of whom 9204 were women and 7095 men. Adjusted OR (95% CI) for the risk of POAG was 0.653 (0.610-0.698) for women and 0.714 (0.656-0.778) for men with dementia, respectively. The OR for POAG was 0.478 (0.355-0.643) for women with psychosis, and 1.164 (1.105-1.227) for women with depression. A high neighbourhood socio-economic status was associated with a higher risk of POAG. Other associations were non-significant.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of newly diagnosed POAG was decreased in men and women with dementia, and in women with psychosis, which could be an underestimation, owing to lack of investigation, which warrants attention. The risk of POAG was increased in women with depression, which could be secondary to the glaucoma diagnosis.KEY MESSAGESThe prevalence of newly diagnosed glaucoma was decreased in men and women with dementia, and in women with psychosis. A lower prevalence of newly diagnosed glaucoma may be due to an underestimation, owing to a lack of investigation.The risk of glaucoma was increased in women with depression, which could be secondary to the glaucoma diagnosis.

Mortality in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders: Recent Advances in Understanding and Management

Schizophrenia is a life-shortening disease and life expectancy in patients may be 15-20 years shorter than in the general population, with increasing longevity gap over time. Premature mortality in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders is mainly due to preventable natural causes, such as cardio-vascular disease, infections, respiratory tract diseases and cancer, alongside suicide, homicide and accidents. There is a complex interplay of factors that act synergistically and cause physical morbidity to patients and subsequent mortality. Smoking, alcohol/substance abuse and sedentary life style, alongside disease-related factors, such as metabolic abnormalities and accelerating aging contribute to physical morbidity. Moreover, the symptomatology of psychosis and stigma may limit patients' access to quality medical care. Interventions to promote physical health in those patients should be multifaceted, and should target all patient-related modifiable factors, but also should address service-related healthcare disparities. Long-term antipsychotic use (including clozapine and long-acting injectables) is associated with substantially decreased all-cause mortality, including suicide and cardiovascular mortality, in patients with schizophrenia despite the well-known cardiometabolic adverse effects of second-generation agents. Integrated care may involve co-location of physical and mental health services, liaison services, shared protocols and information sharing systems, and has emerged as a way to address the physical health needs of those patients. Interventions to address mortality in schizophrenia and related syndromes should take place as early as possible in the course of the patients' treatment, and could be an integral component of care delivered by specialized early intervention services.

Pain management in people with severe mental illness: an agenda for progress

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

Lessons Learned From a New Reverse-Integration Model to Improve Primary Care Screening in Community Mental Health Settings

The authors sought to describe a reverse-integration intervention aimed at improving preventive health screening in a community mental health clinic. The intervention, CRANIUM (cardiometabolic risk assessment and treatment through a novel integration model for underserved populations with mental illness), integrated primary care services into a large urban community mental health setting. It was implemented in 2015 and included a patient-centered team, population-based care, emphasis on screening, and evidence-based treatment. CRANIUM's strengths included provider acceptability, a patient-centered approach, sustained patient engagement, and economic feasibility. Challenges included underutilized staff, registry maintenance, and unanticipated screening barriers. The CRANIUM reverse-integration model can be feasibly implemented and was acceptable to providers.

Mortality, Revascularization, and Cardioprotective Pharmacotherapy After Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients With Severe Mental Illness: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS

People with severe mental illness (SMI) may experience excess mortality and inequitable treatment following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, cardioprotective pharmacotherapy and SMI diagnoses other than schizophrenia are rarely examined in previous reviews. We hypothesized that SMI including bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with increased post-ACS mortality, decreased revascularization, and cardioprotective medication receipt relative to those without SMI.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize estimates of post-ACS mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), and receipt of invasive coronary procedures and cardioprotective medications in patients with SMI, comprising schizophrenia, BD, and other nonaffective psychoses, relative to non-SMI counterparts. Subgroup analyses stratified by SMI subtypes (schizophrenia, BD), incident ACS status, and post-ACS time frame for outcome evaluation were conducted.

STUDY RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were included (n = 12 235 501, including 503 686 SMI patients). SMI was associated with increased overall (relative risk [RR] = 1.40 [95% confidence interval = 1.21-1.62]), 1-year (1.68 [1.42-1.98]), and 30-day (1.26 [1.05-1.51]) post-ACS mortality, lower receipt of revascularization (odds ratio = 0.57 [0.49-0.67]), and cardioprotective medications (RR = 0.89 [0.85-0.94]), but comparable rates of any/specific MACEs relative to non-SMI patients. Incident ACS status conferred further increase in post-ACS mortality. Schizophrenia was associated with heightened mortality irrespective of incident ACS status, while BD was linked to significantly elevated mortality only in incident ACS cohort. Both schizophrenia and BD patients had lower revascularization rates. Post-ACS mortality risk remained significantly increased with mild attenuation after adjusting for revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

SMI is associated with increased post-ACS mortality and undertreatment. Effective multipronged interventions are urgently needed to reduce these physical health disparities.

Promoting physical activity for mental health: an updated evidence review and practical guide

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to provide psychiatrists with the knowledge, tools and guidance to support physical activity promotion in clinical practice. The review also aims to provide an up-to-date summary of the evidence regarding physical activity in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders in adults.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is emerging evidence demonstrating that physical activity can protect against incident anxiety and depression. There is robust evidence showing that physical activity is an effective adjunct treatment strategy for depressive disorders and anxiety and stress-related disorders, with emerging evidence for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Translation of this evidence into practice is in general ad hoc, and large physical health disparities for people with mental disorders persist. The reasons for this are multifactorial, and include the intersection of social, economic and personal barriers to physical activity. Evidence-based approaches include regular screening of physical activity levels, staff culture change within mental health services and established referral pathways.

SUMMARY

Translation of evidence regarding physical activity for mental health into routine programmes is critical. Efforts to move beyond solely targeting individual-level barriers to physical activity and address systemic barriers include lack of access to appropriate exercise services. This requires consideration of training needs, service structure and culture change.

Cardiovascular disease risk in people with severe mental disorders: an update and call for action

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of premature death in people with severe mental disorders (SMDs). This review provides an update on the level of CVD mortality and morbidity, as well as the socioeconomic, psychosocial and genetic factors associated with the comorbidity, and offer directions for improved interventions to reduce CVD in SMDs.

RECENT FINDINGS

The level of CVD mortality and morbidity has sustained high in people with SMDs during the past decades, but the causal mechanism must be further elucidated. Psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges are frequent in SMDs as well as in CVD. Further, recent studies have revealed genetic variants jointly associated with SMDs, CVD risk and social factors. These findings highlight the need for more targeted interventions, prediction tools and psychosocial approaches to comorbid CVD in SMDs.

SUMMARY

The level of CVD comorbidity remains high in SMDs, indicating that most people with SMDs have not benefitted from recent medical advances. A complex interplay between genetic and social vulnerability to CVD, which differs across subgroups of patients, seems to be involved. Further research is required to meet the urgent need for earlier, more efficient intervention approaches and preventive strategies for comorbid CVD in SMD.

Prevalence and factors associated with overweight, obesity, and hypertension in a large clinical sample of adults with autism spectrum disorder

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk for excess bodyweight and hypertension, yet the prevalence of and clinical predictors for these health conditions remain unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and hypertension in a large clinical sample of adults with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD and to examine potential clinical predictors. This retrospective chart review study included adult subjects (≥ 20 years) with ASD who had been seen within the past 5 years at a multidisciplinary developmental disorders clinic. Data collected from the electronic health record included age, sex, race and ethnicity, cognitive ability, language ability, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, and use of second generation antipsychotic medications (SGAs). Of 622 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD potentially eligible for the study, 483 (78%) had one or more notes in their records from the past 5 years. Those with recent notes were 23% female, 89% White, and had a mean (SD) age of 28.1 (7.1) years. Overall prevalence estimates for adults represented by this predominantly male, White, and young clinical sample were 28% (95% CI 24%, 32%) for overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²), 35% (95% CI 31%, 40%) for obesity (≥ 30 kg/m²), and 11% (95% CI 9%, 15%) for hypertension. Controlling for age and sex, intellectual disability (ID) was significantly associated with BMI (p = 0.003) but not hypertension (p = 0.69); those with moderate or more severe ID had a mean BMI that was 2.26 kg/m² (95% CI 0.96, 3.57) lower than those with no ID. Controlling for age and sex, neither language ability, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) subtype of autism, nor past or current use of SGAs were significantly associated with BMI or hypertension. The study identified a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults with ASD consistent with the prevalence of these medical comorbidities in the U.S. population.

Mortality in people with schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of relative risk and aggravating or attenuating factors

People with schizophrenia die 15-20 years prematurely. Understanding mortality risk and aggravating/attenuating factors is essential to reduce this gap. We conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective, nationwide and targeted cohort studies assessing mortality risk in people with schizophrenia versus the general population or groups matched for physical comorbidities or groups with different psychiatric disorders, also assessing moderators. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality risk ratio (RR); key secondary outcomes were mortality due to suicide and natural causes. Other secondary outcomes included any other specific-cause mortality. Publication bias, subgroup and meta-regression analyses, and quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were conducted. Across 135 studies spanning from 1957 to 2021 (schizophrenia: N=4,536,447; general population controls: N=1,115,600,059; other psychiatric illness controls: N=3,827,955), all-cause mortality was increased in people with schizophrenia versus any non-schizophrenia control group (RR=2.52, 95% CI: 2.38-2.68, n=79), with the largest risk in first-episode (RR=7.43, 95% CI: 4.02-13.75, n=2) and incident (i.e., earlier-phase) schizophrenia (RR=3.52, 95% CI: 3.09-4.00, n=7) versus the general population. Specific-cause mortality was highest for suicide or injury-poisoning or undetermined non-natural cause (RR=9.76-8.42), followed by pneumonia among natural causes (RR=7.00, 95% CI: 6.79-7.23), decreasing through infectious or endocrine or respiratory or urogenital or diabetes causes (RR=3 to 4), to alcohol or gastrointestinal or renal or nervous system or cardio-cerebrovascular or all natural causes (RR=2 to 3), and liver or cerebrovascular, or breast or colon or pancreas or any cancer causes (RR=1.33 to 1.96). All-cause mortality increased slightly but significantly with median study year (beta=0.0009, 95% CI: 0.001-0.02, p=0.02). Individuals with schizophrenia <40 years of age had increased all-cause and suicide-related mortality compared to those ≥40 years old, and a higher percentage of females increased suicide-related mortality risk in incident schizophrenia samples. All-cause mortality was higher in incident than prevalent schizophrenia (RR=3.52 vs. 2.86, p=0.009). Comorbid substance use disorder increased all-cause mortality (RR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.47-1.80, n=3). Antipsychotics were protective against all-cause mortality versus no antipsychotic use (RR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84, n=11), with largest effects for second-generation long-acting injectable anti-psychotics (SGA-LAIs) (RR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.27-0.56, n=3), clozapine (RR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.34-0.55, n=3), any LAI (RR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.39-0.58, n=2), and any SGA (RR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.44-0.63, n=4). Antipsychotics were also protective against natural cause-related mortality, yet first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) were associated with increased mortality due to suicide and natural cause in incident schizophrenia. Higher study quality and number of variables used to adjust the analyses moderated larger natural-cause mortality risk, and more recent study year moderated larger protective effects of antipsychotics. These results indicate that the excess mortality in schizophrenia is associated with several modifiable factors. Targeting comorbid substance abuse, long-term maintenance antipsychotic treatment and appropriate/earlier use of SGA-LAIs and clozapine could reduce this mortality gap.

Increased risk of death compared to other antipsychotics in elderly clozapine users in Poland

Clozapine can cause severe adverse effects. Few epidemiologic studies have considered the effect of clozapine use in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to assess mortality in elderly patients treated with clozapine in comparison to patients treated with first- or second-generation antipsychotics. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 26 639 patients who were 65 years of age or older and were receiving antipsychotic medication between 2008 and 2012. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to compare the risk of death between different groups of antipsychotics after controlling for age, sex, concomitant treatment with cardiovascular or metabolic medications. The use of antipsychotic medications other than clozapine was associated with a lower adjusted risk of death [hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.79-0.99]. The use of cardiac and antilipemic but not antidiabetic drugs was associated with a significantly lower risk of death in this population (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83-0.93; hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.58-0.75 and hazarad ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.96-1.24, respectively). These results suggest that clozapine is associated with an increased risk of death in the elderly. Although the study was based on administrative records linkage, its results suggest that attention should be paid to patients taking antipsychotics.

Osteoporosis referral and treatment among people with severe mental illness: A ten-year data linkage study

INTRODUCTION

People with severe mental illness (SMI) are at increased risk of osteoporosis but minimal information is available on their treatment and referral. We investigated differences in these outcomes between patients with/without SMI in linked primary and specialist care data.

METHODS

People with SMI aged 18+ at diagnosis with both primary and mental healthcare records between 1st May 2009 and 31st May 2019 from a south London catchment were matched 1:4 to randomly selected controls on gender, age and duration of primary care follow-up. Outcomes included prescription of osteoporosis medications and referrals for osteoporosis, analysed using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The study included 2269 people with SMI and 9069 matched non-SMI controls. People with SMI were more likely to have a recorded prescription of osteoporosis medications (odds ratio [OR] = 3.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.87, 4.35) and be referred for osteoporosis (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.09, 2.08) within 2 years after the date of first SMI diagnosis after adjusting for ethnicity, deprivation and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Factors including older age (osteoporosis medications: OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.03, 1.05; osteoporosis referral: OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.04, 1.07) and being prescribed with Class A analgesics (osteoporosis medications: OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.31, 2.77; osteoporosis referral: OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.02, 3.07) are significant predictors for osteoporosis management pathways within SMI patients.

CONCLUSION

People with SMI are more frequently prescribed medications for osteoporosis and referred to osteoporosis screening than the general population. Given the many risk factors for osteoporosis in this group, this increased rate of referrals may well be warranted, and there is need to pay more attention to this at-risk group. Screening studies are needed to determine whether the rate of referral is proportional to the need.

Schizophrenia and Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular Events in a Large Population: The APNA Study

(1) Background: Patients with schizophrenia have higher mortality, with cardiovascular diseases being the first cause of mortality. This study aims to estimate the excess risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular events in schizophrenic patients, adjusting for comorbidity and risk factors. (2) Methods: The APNA study is a dynamic prospective cohort of all residents in Navarra, Spain. A total of 505,889 people over 18 years old were followed for five years. The endpoint was hospital admissions for a cardiovascular event. Direct Acyclic Graphs (DAG) and Cox regression were used. (3) Results: Schizophrenic patients had a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 1.414 (95% CI 1.031–1.938) of hospital admission for a cardiovascular event after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, low income, obesity, antecedents of cardiovascular disease, and smoking. In non-adherent to antipsychotic treatment schizophrenia patients, the HR was 2.232 (95% CI 1.267–3.933). (4) Conclusions: Patients with schizophrenia have a higher risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular events than persons with the same risk factors without schizophrenia. Primary care nursing interventions should monitor these patients and reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 hospital mortality in patients with schizophrenia: a nationwide population-based cohort study

It remains unknown to what degree resource prioritization toward SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) coronavirus (COVID-19) cases had disrupted usual acute care for non-COVID-19 patients, especially in the most vulnerable populations such as patients with schizophrenia. The objective was to establish whether the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 hospital mortality and access to hospital care differed between patients with schizophrenia versus without severe mental disorder. We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study of all non-COVID-19 acute hospitalizations in the pre-COVID-19 (March 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019) and COVID-19 (March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020) periods in France. We divided the population into patients with schizophrenia and age/sex-matched patients without severe mental disorder (1:10). Using a difference-in-differences approach, we performed multivariate patient-level logistic regression models (adjusted odds ratio, aOR) with adjustment for complementary health insurance, smoking, alcohol and substance addiction, Charlson comorbidity score, origin of the patient, category of care, intensive care unit (ICU) care, major diagnosis groups and hospital characteristics. A total of 198,186 patients with schizophrenia were matched with 1,981,860 controls. The 90-day hospital mortality in patients with schizophrenia increased significantly more versus controls (aOR = 1.18; p < 0.001). This increased mortality was found for poisoning and injury (aOR = 1.26; p = 0.033), respiratory diseases (aOR = 1.19; p = 0.008) and for both surgery (aOR = 1.26; p = 0.008) and medical care settings (aOR = 1.16; p = 0.001). Significant changes in the case mix were noted with reduced admission in the ICU and for several somatic diseases including cancer, circulatory and digestive diseases and stroke for patients with schizophrenia compared to controls. These results suggest a greater deterioration in access to, effectiveness and safety of non-COVID-19 acute care in patients with schizophrenia compared to patients without severe mental disorders. These findings question hospitals' resilience pertaining to patient safety and underline the importance of developing specific strategies for vulnerable patients in anticipation of future public health emergencies.