Psychiatria pre prax 2/2022

Mental and cardiometabolic health in patients with schizofrenia

Adult patients with schizophrenia are at markedly increased risk of premature death. Most of the excess mortality has been attributed to cardiovascular disease. This work reviews the factors contributing to cardiometabolic disease in schizophrenia and where mental health services could readily intervene focusing on the role of antipsychotics. Antipsychotics form the mainstay of treatment for patients with schizophrenia, but many, especially the second generation antipsychotics, are associated with metabolic side effects. New analyses from randomised controlled trials show that there are marked differences between drugs, including new medications. The implications of these new analyses for clinical practice in term of treatment choice will be considered in this work.

Keywords: premature death, antipsychotics, cardio-metabolic, side effects, choice of therapy