A new study has found that the majority of men
admitted to a psychiatric in-patient ward had physical health
problems as well - mainly diabetes, hypertension, and chronic back
pain.
Previous research has shown that illness and
death rates among psychiatric patients are higher than in the
general population. For instance, the death rate for patients with
schizophrenia is nearly three times that of the general population.
60% of the excess mortality among psychiatric patients can be
attributed to the same broad range of conditions that cause deaths
in the general population. Mood disorders, such as depression, are
associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease in
men.
The aim of this study was to examine the
physical health of those admitted to an acute all-male psychiatry
in-patient unit, to see how this compares with general out-patients
and the general population.
Between February and August 2007, extensive
information was collected on 55 consecutive in-patient admissions
to the same acute adult in-patient ward at Guy’s Hospital, London.
The patients’ average age was 43. Only 20% were married. 29% had a
criminal record.
There was a range of psychiatric diagnoses,
the most common being paranoid schizophrenia (25%), drug and
alcohol misuse (18%), bipolar disorder (16%), and acute and
transient psychotic episode (11%).
Nearly half of the men studied (26) were also
using cannabis. The average estimated duration of illness was 141
months, and there was an average of three previous admissions per
in-patient.
65% of the patients were detained under the
Mental Health Act. Only 53% of those studied had support from their
families, and none were employed. The majority of them also had
physical health problems, and were taking prescribed drugs both for
psychiatric and physical illnesses.
Both average blood pressure and pulse rates
were raised among these patients. 25% of them had an abnormal ECG,
and 25% had raised cholesterol levels. Their average body mass
index was 27, indicating that they were overweight or obese.
The researchers conclude that this group of
patients had significantly worse physical health than the general
population, and that it was significantly worse than has been found
in previous studies.
This study raises serious concerns about
avoidable health risks, such as obesity, they say. It illustrates
the need for increasing the provision of primary care services and
health promotion for psychiatric in-patients on acute wards.
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College, London, 1 - 4 July 2008