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Physical health and attendance at primary care in people with schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Caragh Behan ,
Nicola McGlade ,
Farhan Haq ,
Anthony Kinsella ,
Michael Gill ,
Aiden Corvin  and
Eadbhard O'Callaghan
Caragh Behan*
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Services, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Nicola McGlade
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Services, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Farhan Haq
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Services, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Anthony Kinsella
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 3, Ireland
Michael Gill
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
Aiden Corvin
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
Eadbhard O'Callaghan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, and DELTA/DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Services, Co. Dublin, Ireland
*
*Correspondence Email: clbehan@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives: People with schizophrenia are at increased risk of cardiovascular and endocrine disease. National guidelines recommend the physical health of people with schizophrenia be monitored by primary care, but little is known about whether such people attend primary care. We sought to examine the prevalence of cardiovascular and endocrine disease in a stable population with schizophrenia, and factors associated with attending primary care.

Method: A cross sectional survey of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder was taken from a larger cohort participating in the Resource for Psychoses and Genomics in Ireland (RPGI) study. Participants were interviewed using standardised clinical assessments, and underwent anthropometric measurements, and further information was collected by medical record review and contacting the general practitioner (GP).

Results: Thirteen percent (n = 14) had established cardiovascular disease and 4.3% (n = 4) had type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes were higher than the general population. Sixty-eight point five percent (n = 63) had attended their GP at least once in the previous year. Only 35% self reported a physical illness. Females (p = 0.03), those with both self-reported presence of physical illness (p = 0.007), and diagnosed physical illness (p = 0.001) were more likely to attend their GP. Other psychosocial, psychological and illness related variables did not predict attendance at primary care.

Conclusion: While established patients attend their GP, they had significant unidentified risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is likely that non-attendees at secondary care would fare worse yet.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , June 2008 , pp. 57 - 60
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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