Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in First Episode Psychosis Patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Previous research in patients with schizophrenia have shown a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and disease progression (~30-40%) which presents an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and long-term mortality (Correll et al. 2014; Mitchell et al. 2013). To date, little is known about the prevalence of existing cardiometabolic risk factors at time of diagnosis. This study presents a clinical overview of the cardiometabolic risk profile in young people presenting with early psychosis from a UK early intervention in psychosis service. METHODS: Participants (n=45; age 24.4 ± 4.5 yrs, 71% male, 88.9% White British) clinically diagnosed with a first episode psychosis with <3 months (n=39) or< 6 months (n=6) Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) were assessed for anthropometric, lifestyle behaviours and clinical measurements including resting heart rate, blood pressure, blood lipids, HbA1c, and prolactin. The majority (n=38, 84.4%) were in receipt of antipsychotic medication (8.9% Aripiprazole, 28.9% Olanzepine, 31.1% Quetiapine, 4.4% Risperidone, 2.2% Paliperidone, 6.7% Clozapine). Seven participants (15.6%) were not on any antipsychotic medication. RESULTS Table 1 presents the cardiometabolic risk status and self reported lifestyle behaviours at baseline by sex of this first episode psychosis patient sample (n=45). • Participants had high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors due to elevated values for BMI (38.1%), abdominal adiposity (57.5%), high blood pressure (30.8% prehypertensive; 20.5% hypertensive), elevated resting heart rate (44.7%), hypercholesterolemia (27.9%), suboptimal HDL levels (25.6%), and hypertriglyceridemia (42.1%). • Participants also self-reported poor lifestyle habits including: smoking (55.8%), alcohol use (37.2%), substance use (16.3%), poor diet (53.5%), and a sedentary lifestyle (39.5%). CONCLUSION • Young people with psychosis are at increased risk for cardiometabolic disorders due to elevated clinical markers and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. • Physical health interventions are needed early in the treatment process to address the increased risk for cardiometabolic disorders in individuals recently diagnose