Schizophrenia Often Compounded by Other Health Woes

(December 19, 2006) -- People with schizophrenia are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions than those without mental illness, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

This news is based on research published in the November issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

The study, written by Caroline Carney Doebbeling, associate professor of psychiatry and medicine at the IU School of Medicine, reports that people with schizophrenia are more likely to have one or more of 46 chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and endocrine diseases when compared to individuals without mental illness.

One-third of those with schizophrenia had three or more chronic conditions needing a doctor's care. Only 29 percent did not have an accompanying physical illness.

"This work is yet another piece in the larger puzzle of understanding the relationships between mental and physical health," Doebbeling said in a statement. The study looked at insurance claims from more than 700,000 adults from the ages of 18 to 64. Doebbeling previously used data to study mental illness and cancer, mental illness and diabetes, and the likelihood of women with mental illness to undergo mammograms.

"This work highlights the need for integrated medical and psychiatric care, and the long-term deleterious effects on physical health of living with chronic mental illness," Doebbeling said. "Both physical and mental health practitioners should have a heightened awareness of the significant medical morbidity faced by persons with chronic mental illness."

By: By T.J. Banes
Source: Indystar.com

Last updated: 12/06

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