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October 06, 2009
Statement documents relationship between diabetes, CVD, and severe mental illness
HeartWire (9/30, Nainggolan) reported that in a joint statement published in the Sept. issue of European Psychiatry, the European Society of Cardiology, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and the European Psychiatric Association are "calling attention to the excess cardiovascular mortality associated with severe mental illness."
Specifically, the "statement documents the relationship between diabetes, CVD, and mental illness and provides clear guidance about the screening that people should receive." Statement co-author Dr. Richard Holt of the UK's University of Southampton pointed out, "People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder die prematurely, on average 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population." Among these patients, "physical illness accounts for 75 percent of mortality." Side effects from antipsychotic medications and hampered ability to "access physical-health services" just add to the problem, the statement said.
Related Links:
- Time to act: Cardiologists, diabetes docs, and psychiatrists urged to work together to tackle CVD in the mentally ill.," Lisa Nainggolan, HeartWire, September 30, 2009.
Posted by admin at October 6, 2009 12:52 AM