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Cardiovascular fitness in late adolescent males and later risk of serious non-affective mental disorders: a prospective, population-based study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2017

J. Nyberg ,
M. Henriksson ,
M. A. I. Åberg ,
A. Rosengren ,
M. Söderberg ,
N. D. Åberg ,
H. G. Kuhn  and
M. Waern
J. Nyberg
Affiliation:
Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
M. Henriksson
Affiliation:
Department of Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
M. A. I. Åberg
Affiliation:
Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Department of Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
A. Rosengren
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
M. Söderberg
Affiliation:
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
N. D. Åberg
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
H. G. Kuhn*
Affiliation:
Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
M. Waern
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
*
*Address for correspondence: Professor Georg Kuhn, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, Box 436, Gothenburg SE-40530, Sweden. (Email: georg.kuhn@neuro.gu.se)
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Abstract

Background

Cardiovascular fitness in late adolescence is associated with future risk of depression. Relationships with other mental disorders need elucidation. This study investigated whether fitness in late adolescence is associated with future risk of serious non-affective mental disorders. Further, we examined how having an affected brother might impact the relationship.

Method

Prospective, population-based cohort study of 1 109 786 Swedish male conscripts with no history of mental illness, who underwent conscription examinations at age 18 between 1968 and 2005. Cardiovascular fitness was objectively measured at conscription using a bicycle ergometer test. During the follow-up (3–42 years), incident cases of serious non-affective mental disorders (schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like disorders, other psychotic disorders and neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders) were identified through the Swedish National Hospital Discharge Register. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the influence of cardiovascular fitness at conscription and risk of serious non-affective mental disorders later in life.

Results

Low fitness was associated with increased risk for schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like disorders [hazard ratio (HR) 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–1.61], other psychotic disorders (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.27–1.56), and neurotic or stress-related and somatoform disorders (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.37–1.54). Relationships persisted in models that included illness in brothers.

Conclusions

Lower fitness in late adolescent males is associated with increased risk of serious non-affective mental disorders in adulthood.

Keywords

Cardiovascular fitnessepidemiologyneurotic disorderspsychotic disordersschizophrenia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 48 , Issue 3 , February 2018 , pp. 416 - 425
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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