Reducing excess mortality due to chronic disease in people with severe mental illness: meta-review of health interventions

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials in a general practice setting aiming to reduce excess all-cause mortality and enhance cardiovascular health in patients with severe mental illness

OBJECTIVE

People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a reduced life expectancy, primarily due to chronic somatic diseases like cardiovascular disorders. Integrated care in general practice addressing mental and physical health may reduce excess mortality in this population. This review assessed the effectiveness of collaborative care, general integrated care, and physical health interventions in reducing overall mortality in patients with SMI. Secondary outcomes included disease-specific mortality, cardiovascular health indicators, and health-related quality of life.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Embase for randomized controlled trials published before April 24, 2024. Eligible studies focused on integrated care interventions targeting somatic health in patients with SMI. Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022328464).

RESULTS

Of 2904 identified publications, 17 were included (covering 13 studies). Seven studies reported mortality data, with one showing reduced mortality in patients with major depressive disorder receiving collaborative care. No studies examined disease-specific mortality. Nine studies assessed cardiovascular outcomes, with three reporting reduced cardiovascular risk in collaborative care interventions simultaneously targeting depression and cardiovascular factors. Seven studies reported on quality of life, with three finding improvements. Study quality was rated moderate to high.

CONCLUSION

We found low-certainty evidence that collaborative care reduces mortality in depression. There was moderate evidence that collaborative care models, simultaneously addressing mental and cardiovascular health could potentially improve cardiovascular health in depression. The limited number of studies and their focus on depression limit the generalizability of these findings to other SMIs.

Evaluation of a smoking cessation program for adults with severe mental illness in a public mental health service

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT

Smoking rates have decreased in the general population but remain high among people with severe mental illness (SMI).

WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE

An individualized smoking cessation program was tested with 99 adults with SMI. The program showed it is possible to help people with SMI smoke fewer cigarettes and reduce nicotine addiction. Customized smoking cessation programs are essential for those with high nicotine dependence and mental health challenges.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Mental health services should offer tailored tobacco cessation programs because these programs can improve the health of people with mental illness who smoke. It is important for mental health services to follow government guidelines and provide evidence-based support.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Despite significant reductions in smoking rates in the general population over recent decades, smoking rates remain relatively unchanged among people with SMI.

AIM

To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Keep Quitting in Mind pilot program, an individualized smoking cessation program for people experiencing SMI.

METHODS

In total, 99 adult participants with SMI and engaged with a community mental health service, participated in the intervention. The intervention included motivational interviewing and goal setting, in addition to provision of pharmaceutical aids (including nicotine replacement therapy).

RESULTS

Analysis determined that the Keep Quitting in Mind pilot program was feasible in a public adult mental health service and participation in the program was associated with reductions in the number of cigarettes smoked daily and level of nicotine addiction.

DISCUSSION

This real-world pilot program demonstrated feasibility and potential effectiveness in reducing smoking among adults with mental illness. Aligning with government guidelines, tailored smoking cessation programs are crucial due to high nicotine dependence and mental health complexities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Given the high rates of cigarette smoking by people with mental illness and the cardiometabolic health risks associated with this, mental health services should consider adding evidence-based and bespoke tobacco cessation programs as part of core business.

Modifiable risk factors and excess mortality in depression: Data from the UK Biobank

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of modifiable risk factors in explaining the excess mortality associated with depression using data from the UK Biobank, a middle-aged and elderly cohort recruited in 2006-2010.

METHODS

We estimated the prevalence and relative mortality associated with modifiable risk factors and groups of risk factors (socioeconomic factors, diet and exercise, smoking and substance-related disorders, and cardiometabolic diseases) in a subsample of probable cases of lifetime/current depression (n = 51,302) versus non-cases. We also estimated the relative mortality associated with depression and the percentages of excess mortality associated with depression explained by modifiable risk factors in the total sample (499,762).

RESULTS

In our depression subsample, all modifiable risk factors were associated with increased prevalence and mortality. In our total sample, depression was associated with an age and sex-adjusted mortality hazard ratio of 1.63 (95% CI = [1.58-1.68]). Modifiable risk factors explained 70.5% [66.9%-75.0%] of the excess mortality associated with depression.

CONCLUSIONS

In the UK Biobank cohort, depression was associated with a higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors. These risk factors were associated with increased mortality in the depression subsample and explained most of the excess mortality risk associated with depression in the total sample.

Physical Health Checks and Follow-Up Care in Deprived and Ethnically Diverse People With Severe Mental Illness: Co-Designed Recommendations for Better Care

BACKGROUND

There is wide variation in premature mortality rates in adults with severe mental illness (SMI) across London, with Tower Hamlets (a highly deprived and ethnically diverse area) scoring the highest.

OBJECTIVE

To identify examples of best practice and co-design recommendations for improving physical health checks and follow-up care amongst people with SMI in Tower Hamlets.

METHODS

Data were collected through online questionnaires (using SMI physical health best practice checklists), one-on-one interviews (n = 7) and focus groups (n = 3) with general practices, secondary mental health services, commissioners and leads of community services and public health programmes, experts by experience and community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations in Tower Hamlets. Data were analysed using deductive and inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two participants representing 15 general practices (out of 32), secondary mental health services, commissioners and public health leads completed the online questionnaires. Twenty-one participants took part in interviews and focus groups. Examples of best practice included cleaning and validating the SMI register regularly by general practices, knowing the number of patients who had been offered and/or received physical health checks, having clear pathways to community and specialist care services, using various communication methods and having a key performance indicator (KPI) for tailored smoking cessation services for people with SMI. Recommendations included adopting evidence-informed frameworks for risk stratification and utilising the wider primary care workforce with specific training to follow up on results, offer interventions and support navigating pathways and taking up follow-up care. Incentivising schemes were needed to deliver additional physical health check components such as oral health, cancer screening, Covid-19 vaccination and sexual health checks. Including KPIs in other community services' specifications with reference to SMI people was warranted. Further engagement with experts by experience and staff training were needed.

CONCLUSION

The present initiative identified best practice examples and co-designed recommendations for improving physical health checks and follow-up care in deprived and ethnically diverse people with SMI.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This initiative was supported by three experts with experience, and two community organisations, who were involved in data curation and interpretation, development of recommendations and/or dissemination activities including writing this manuscript.

Brain transcriptomic signatures for mood disorders and suicide phenotypes: an anterior insula and subgenual ACC network postmortem study

Mood disorders affect over ten percent of humans, but studies dissecting the brain anatomical and molecular neurobiological mechanisms underlying mood (dys)functions have not consistently identified the patterns of pathological changes in relevant brain regions. Recent studies have identified pathological changes in the anterior insula (Ant-Ins) and subgenual anterior cingulate (sgACC) brain network in mood disorders, in line with this network's role in regulating mood/affective feeling states. Here, we applied whole-tissue RNA-sequencing measures of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in mood disorders versus (vs.) psychiatrically unaffected controls (controls) to identify postmortem molecular pathological markers for mood disorder phenotypes. Using data-driven factor analysis of the postmortem phenotypic variables to determine relevant sources of population variances, we identified DEGs associated with mood disorder-related diagnostic phenotypes by combining gene co-expression, differential gene expression, and pathway-enrichment analyses. We found downregulation/under expression of inflammatory, and protein synthesis-related genes associated with psychiatric morbidity (i.e., all co-occurring mental disorders and suicide outcomes/death by suicide) in Ant-Ins, in contrasts to upregulation of synaptic membrane and ion channel-related genes with increased psychiatric morbidity in sgACC. Our results identified a preponderance of downregulated metabolic, protein synthesis, inflammatory, and synaptic membrane DEGs associated with suicide outcomes in relation to a factor representing longevity in the Ant-Ins and sgACC (AIAC) network. Our study revealed a critical brain network molecular repertoire for mood disorder phenotypes, including suicide outcomes and longevity, and provides a framework for defining dosage-sensitive (i.e., downregulated vs. upregulated) molecular signatures for mood disorder phenotypic complexity and pathological outcomes.

Characteristics of Comorbid Physical Disease in Patients With Severe Mental Illness in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study (2014-2019)

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify the associations of chronic physical disease between patients with severe mental illness (SMI) and the general population of South Korea.

METHODS

This study was conducted with National Health Insurance Corporation data from 2014 to 2019. A total of 848,058 people were diagnosed with SMI in this period, and the same number of controls were established by matching by sex and age. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the sociodemographic characteristics of patients with SMI. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associations between comorbid physical disease in patients with SMI and those of the general population. SAS Enterprise Guide 7.1 (SAS Inc, Cary, NC, USA) were used to perform all statistical tests.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed significant differences in medical insurance, income level, and Charlson Comorbidity Index weighted by chronic physical disease, between patients with SMI and the general population. Conditional logistic regression analysis between the two groups also revealed significant differences in eight chronic physical diseases except hypertensive disease.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed the vulnerability of patients with SMI to chronic physical diseases and we were able to identify chronic physical disease that were highly related to patients with SMI.

Dealing With Discrimination in Physical Health Care Services: Strategies of People With Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions

Discrimination against people with mental health and substance use conditions (MHSUC) by health professionals contributes to the poor physical health outcomes this group experiences. We surveyed people with MHSUC in Aotearoa New Zealand to explore how they experienced and responded to discrimination from physical health services. Participants identified 6 strategies used to avoid or minimize the impact of discrimination. Avoidance strategies included not seeking help, not disclosing MHSUC diagnoses and changing or seeking out health professionals who did not behave in discriminatory ways. Minimizing strategies were being a "model patient," taking a support person to consultations or advocating for what they needed, even in the face of discrimination. Physical health services must focus on providing non-discriminatory care to reduce the need for compensatory strategies and improve care of physical illness for people with MHSUC.

The SOFIA pilot study: assessing feasibility and fidelity of coordinated care to reduce excess mortality and increase quality of life in patients with severe mental illness in a general practice setting; a cluster-randomised pilot trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and fidelity of implementing and assessing the SOFIA coordinated care program aimed at lowering mortality and increasing quality of life in patients with severe mental illness by improving somatic health care in general practice.

DESIGN

A cluster-randomised, non-blinded controlled pilot trial.

SETTING

General Practice in Denmark.

INTERVENTION

The SOFIA coordinated care program comprised extended structured consultations carried out by the GP, group-based training of GPs and staff, and a handbook with information on signposting patients to relevant municipal, health, and social initiatives.

PATIENTS

Persons aged 18 years or older with a diagnosis of psychotic, bipolar, or severe depressive disorder.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We collected quantitative data on the delivery, recruitment and retention rates of practices and patients, and response rates of questionnaires MMQ and EQ-5D-5 L.

RESULTS

From November 2020 to March 2021, nine practices were enrolled and assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the intervention group (n = 6) or control group (n = 3). Intervention group practices included 64 patients and Control practices included 23. The extended consultations were delivered with a high level of fidelity in the general practices; however, thresholds for collecting outcome measures, and recruitment of practices and patients were not reached.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that delivering the coordinated care program in a fully powered trial in primary care is likely feasible. However, the recruitment methodology requires improvement to ensure sufficient recruitment and minimize selective inclusion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The date of pilot trial protocol registration was 05/11/2020, and the registration number is NCT04618250.

Clinical insight among persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated with amisulpride, aripiprazole or olanzapine: a semi-randomised trial

BACKGROUND

Antipsychotic treatment may improve clinical insight. However, previous studies have reported inconclusive findings on whether antipsychotics improve insight over and above the reduction in symptoms of psychosis. These studies assessed homogeneous samples in terms of stage of illness. Randomised studies investigating a mixed population of first- and multiepisode schizophrenia spectrum disorders might clarify this disagreement.

METHODS

Our data were derived from a pragmatic, rater-blinded, semi-randomised trial that compared the effectiveness of amisulpride, aripiprazole and olanzapine. A sample of 144 patients with first- or multiepisode schizophrenia spectrum disorders underwent eight assessments during a 1-year follow-up. Clinical insight was assessed by item General 12 from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We analysed latent growth curve models to test if the medications had a direct effect on insight that was over and above the reduction in total psychosis symptoms. Furthermore, we investigated whether there were differences between the study drugs in terms of insight.

RESULTS

Based on allocation analysis, all three drugs were associated with a reduction in total psychosis symptoms in the initial phase (weeks 0-6). Amisulpride and olanzapine were associated with improved insight over and above what was related to the reduction in total psychosis symptoms in the long-term phase (weeks 6-52). However, these differential effects were lost when only including the participants that chose the first drug in the randomisation sequence. We found no differential effect on insight among those who were antipsychotic-naïve and those who were previously medicated with antipsychotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that antipsychotic treatment improves insight, but whether the effect on insight surpasses the effect of reduced total psychosis symptoms is more uncertain.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01446328, 05.10.2011.

Use of urgent, emergency and acute care by mental health service users: A record-level cohort study

BACKGROUND

People with serious mental illness experience worse physical health and greater mortality than the general population. Crude rates of A&E attendance and acute hospital admission are higher in people with serious mental illness than other hospital users. We aimed to further these findings by undertaking a standardised comparison of urgent and emergency care pathway use among users of mental health services and the general population.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis using routine data from 2013-2016 from the CUREd dataset for urgent and emergency care contacts (NHS 111, ambulance, A&E and acute admissions) and linked mental health trust data for Sheffield, England. We compared annual age- and sex-standardised usage rates for each urgent and emergency care service between users of mental health services and those without a recent history of mental health service use.

RESULTS

We found marked differences in usage rates for all four urgent and emergency care services between the general population and users of mental health services. Usage rates and the proportion of users were 5-6 times and 3-4 times higher in users of mental health services, respectively, for all urgent and emergency care services. Users of mental health services were often more likely to experience the highest or lowest acuity usage characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Current users of mental health services were heavily over-represented among urgent and emergency care users, and they made more contacts per-person. Higher service use among users of mental health services could be addressed by improved community care, more integrated physical and mental health support, and more proactive primary care. A complex pattern of service use among users of mental health services suggests this will need careful targeting to reduce avoidable contacts and optimise patient outcomes.

Enabling people with severe mental illness to overcome barriers to access dental treatment: a qualitative study applying COM-B framework analysis

BACKGROUND

The oral health of people with severe mental illness is severely compromised. Rates of premature total tooth loss and tooth decay are substantially higher than in the general population. Causation is complex, restricted access to treatment a major contributing factor.

AIMS

To examine factors enabling people with complex problems related to severe mental illness to attend scheduled dental appointments.

METHOD

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 service users who attended no-cost treatment at a university clinic, following oral health screening at an inner-city community mental health service. Analysis used a framework approach informed by a theoretical model of behaviour (COM-B).

RESULTS

Complex individual motivations, related variously to function, pain and/or self or social appraisal, were also influenced by expectations of treatment. Capabilities included managing "messy" life circumstances; participants overcame various psychological and physical challenges to attend treatment, enabled by opportunities of social and instrumental support.

CONCLUSIONS

Genuine partnerships between agencies to provide access opportunities, in addition to individual support responsive to personal motivators and adapted to capabilities can enable access to services and improve the lives of people with severe mental illness.

The development and validation of a medicines optimisation tool to protect the physical health of people with severe mental illness (OPTIMISE)

BACKGROUND

The life expectancy of people with severe mental illness (SMI) is shorter than those without SMI, with multimorbidity and poorer physical health contributing to health inequality. Screening tools could potentially assist the optimisation of medicines to protect the physical health of people with SMI. The aim of our research was to design and validate a medicines optimisation tool (OPTIMISE) to help clinicians to optimise physical health in people with SMI.

METHODS

A review of existing published guidelines, PubMed and Medline was carried out. Literature was examined for medicines optimisation recommendations and also for reference to the management of physical illness in people with mental illness. Potential indicators were grouped according to physiological system. A multidisciplinary team with expertise in mental health and the development of screening tools agreed that 83 indicators should be included in the first draft of OPTIMISE. The Delphi consensus technique was used to develop and validate the contents. A 17-member multidisciplinary panel of experts from the UK and Ireland completed 2 rounds of Delphi consensus, rating their level of agreement to 83 prescribing indicators using a 5-point Likert scale. Indicators were accepted for inclusion in the OPTIMISE tool after achieving a median score of 1 or 2, where 1 indicated strongly agree and 2 indicated agree, and 75^th centile value of ≤ 2. Interrater reliability was assessed among 4 clinicians across 20 datasets and the chance corrected level of agreement (kappa) was calculated. The kappa statistic was interpreted as poor if 0.2 or less, fair if 0.21-0.4, moderate if 0.41-0.6, substantial if 0.61-0.8, and good if 0.81-1.0.

RESULTS

Consensus was achieved after 2 rounds of Delphi for 62 prescribing indicators where 53 indicators were accepted after round 1 and a further 9 indicators were accepted after round 2. Interrater reliability of OPTIMISE between physicians and pharmacists indicated a substantial level of agreement with a kappa statistic of 0.75.

CONCLUSIONS

OPTIMISE is a 62 indicator medicines optimisation tool designed to assist decision making in those treating adults with SMI. It was developed using a Delphi consensus methodology and interrater reliability is substantial. OPTIMISE has the potential to improve medicines optimisation by ensuring preventative medicines are considered when clinically indicated. Further research involving the implementation of OPTIMISE is required to demonstrate its true benefit.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This article does not report the results of a health care intervention on human participants.

The temporal relationship between severe mental illness diagnosis and chronic physical comorbidity: a UK primary care cohort study of disease burden over 10 years

BACKGROUND

Despite increased rates of physical health problems in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic illnesses, the temporal relationship between physical disease acquisition and diagnosis of a severe mental illness remains unclear. We aimed to determine the cumulative prevalence of 24 chronic physical conditions in people with severe mental illness from 5 years before to 5 years after their diagnosis.

METHODS

In this cohort study, we used the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) to identify patients aged 18-100 years who were diagnosed with severe mental illness between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2018. Each patient with severe mental illness was matched with up to four individuals in the CPRD without severe mental illness by sex, 5-year age band, primary care practice, and year of primary care practice registration. Individuals in the matched cohort were assigned an index date equal to the date of severe mental illness diagnosis in the patient with severe mental illness to whom they were matched. Our primary outcome was the cumulative prevalence of 24 physical health conditions, based on the Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidity indices, at 5 years, 3 years, and 1 year before and after severe mental illness diagnosis and at the time of diagnosis. We used logistic regression to compare people with severe mental illness with the matched cohort, adjusting for key variables such as age, sex, and ethnicity.

FINDINGS

We identified 68 789 patients diagnosed with a severe mental illness between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2018, and we matched them to 274 827 patients without a severe mental illness diagnosis. In both cohorts taken together, the median age was 40·90 years (IQR 29·46-56·00), 175 138 (50·97%) people were male, and 168 478 (49·03%) were female. The majority of patients were of White ethnicity (59 867 [87·03%] patients with a severe mental illness and 244 566 [88·99%] people in the matched cohort). The most prevalent conditions at the time of diagnosis in people with severe mental illness were asthma (10 581 [15·38%] of 68 789 patients), hypertension (8696 [12·64%]), diabetes (4897 [7·12%]), neurological disease (3484 [5·06%]), and hypothyroidism (2871 [4·17%]). At diagnosis, people with schizophrenia had increased odds of five of 24 chronic physical conditions compared with matched controls, and nine of 24 conditions were diagnosed less frequently than in matched controls. Individuals with bipolar disorder and other psychoses had increased odds of 15 conditions at diagnosis. At 5 years after severe mental illness diagnosis, these numbers had increased to 13 conditions for schizophrenia, 19 for bipolar disorder, and 16 for other psychoses.

INTERPRETATION

Elevated odds of multiple conditions at the point of severe mental illness diagnosis suggest that early intervention on physical health parameters is necessary to reduce morbidity and premature mortality. Some physical conditions might be under-recorded in patients with schizophrenia relative to patients with other severe mental illness subtypes.

FUNDING

UK Office For Health Improvement and Disparities.

Effects of Chronic Diseases on All-Cause Mortality in People with Mental Illness: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening

The aim of this study was to compare mortality and the prevalence of chronic diseases between people with mental illness and the general population, and to explore which chronic diseases increase the risk of all-cause mortality, especially in people with mental illness. This study assessed data from the 2002-2019 Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening sample cohort. Results revealed that all-cause mortality was higher in people with mental illness compared to people without mental illness (11.40% vs. 10.28%, p = 0.0022). Several chronic diseases have a higher prevalence and risk of all-cause mortality in individuals with mental illness than the general population. Among people with the same chronic disease, those with mental disorders had a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Cancer (aHR 2.55, 95% CI 2.488-2.614), liver cirrhosis (aHR 2.198, 95% CI 2.086-2.316), and arrhythmia (aHR 1.427, 95% CI 1.383-1.472) were the top three chronic diseases that increased the risk of all-cause mortality in people with mental illness compared to people without mental illness. Our results suggest the need for more attention to chronic diseases for people with mental illness in clinical practice by explaining the effect of chronic disease on all-cause mortality in people with mental illness.

Ethnic inequities in multimorbidity among people with psychosis: a retrospective cohort study

AIMS

Research shows persistent ethnic inequities in mental health experiences and outcomes, with a higher incidence of illnesses among minoritised ethnic groups. People with psychosis have an increased risk of multiple long-term conditions (MLTC; multimorbidity). However, there is limited research regarding ethnic inequities in multimorbidity in people with psychosis. This study investigates ethnic inequities in physical health multimorbidity in a cohort of people with psychosis.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, using the Clinical Records Interactive Search (CRIS) system, we identified service-users of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and then additional diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension, low blood pressure, overweight or obesity and rheumatoid arthritis. Logistic and multinomial logistic regressions were used to investigate ethnic inequities in odds of multimorbidity (psychosis plus one physical health condition), and multimorbidity severity (having one or two physical health conditions, or three or more conditions), compared with no additional health conditions (no multimorbidity), respectively. The regression models adjusted for age and duration of care and investigated the influence of gender and area-level deprivation.

RESULTS

On a sample of 20 800 service-users with psychosis, aged 13-65, ethnic differences were observed in the odds for multimorbidity. Controlling for sociodemographic factors and duration of care, compared to White British people, higher odds of multimorbidity were found for people of Black African [adjusted Odds Ratio = 1.41, 95% Confidence Intervals (1.23-1.56)], Black Caribbean [aOR = 1.79, 95% CI (1.58-2.03)] and Black British [aOR = 1.64, 95% CI (1.49-1.81)] ethnicity. Reduced odds were observed among people of Chinese [aOR = 0.61, 95% CI (0.43-0.88)] and Other ethnic [aOR = 0.67, 95% CI (0.59-0.76)] backgrounds. Increased odds of severe multimorbidity (three or more physical health conditions) were also observed for people of any Black background.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnic inequities are observed for multimorbidity among people with psychosis. Further research is needed to understand the aetiology and impact of these inequities. These findings support the provision of integrated health care interventions and public health preventive policies and actions.

Physical Healthcare, Health-Related Quality of Life and Global Functioning of Persons with a Severe Mental Illness in Belgian Long-Term Mental Health Assertive Outreach Teams: A Cross-Sectional Self-Reported Survey

Research shows that care delivery regarding somatic health problems for patients with a severe mental illness (SMI) in community and mental health is difficult to establish. During the last decade, long term mental health outreach teams in Belgium were implemented to provide treatment and follow-up at home. This study aimed to map physical health status, care professionals, health related quality of life and global functioning in persons with SMI in Belgian long term outreach teams for mental health. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 173 persons, 58.1% female with a mean age of 48.3, were questioned. Our findings suggest an undertreatment of somatic comorbid conditions, with only half of physical health complaints being addressed. Although treatment rates for hypertension, when detected were high, treatment of respiratory complaints, pain and fatigue was lacking. Although the majority of respondents responded to have a GP or psychiatrist, contact rates were rather limited. Other disciplines, such as primary care nurses, when present, tend to have more contact with people with SMI. Notably, having regular contacts with GPs seems to improve physical health complaints and/or treatment. Being treated by an outreach team did not show significant correlations with physical health complaints and/or treatment suggesting a more proactive approach by outreach teams or primary care providers is desirable.

Evaluation of metabolic monitoring practices for mental health consumers in the Southern District Health Board Region of New Zealand

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT?: The physical health of people with serious mental illness (SMI) is an issue of growing concern in New Zealand and internationally. Metabolic syndrome is prevalent among people with severe mental illness and increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. No previous international research has investigated rates of metabolic monitoring in specialist mental health services and in primary care. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Rates of metabolic monitoring are low in this specialist mental health service and in primary care. Primary care nurses are positive in their views of their role in providing care for people with mental illness, and would value further education in this area. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Services need to consider ways in which nurses can be supported to improve rates of metabolic monitoring. Guidelines may have a role to play in improved monitoring but need service-level support in order to be effective. ABSTRACT: Introduction People with serious mental illness experience significant disparities in their physical health compared with the general population. One indicator of health impairment is metabolic syndrome, which increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. No international studies have reported both primary care and mental health nurses' rates of metabolic monitoring among people with serious mental illness, and no New Zealand studies have investigated rates of metabolic monitoring. Aim To evaluate metabolic monitoring practices within one of New Zealand's 20 district health board regions. Method An audit of clinical records in primary care (n = 46) and secondary care (n = 47) settings and a survey of practice nurses were conducted. A survey was sent to 127 practice nurses with a response rate of 19% (n = 24). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Rates of metabolic monitoring were low in both services. Survey participants expressed positive views towards physical health monitoring and confidence in relating to mental health consumers. Rates of treatment of metabolic abnormalities were low, and communication between primary and secondary services was limited. Conclusion Despite existence of guidelines and protocols, metabolic monitoring rates in both primary and secondary health services are low. Incorporating metabolic monitoring systems into service delivery, supported by appropriate tools and resourcing, is essential to achieve better clinical outcomes for people experiencing mental illness.

Mortality and non-use of antipsychotic drugs after acute admission in schizophrenia: A prospective total-cohort study

BACKGROUND

In society at large, it is debated whether use of antipsychotic drugs is associated with increased or decreased mortality among patients with schizophrenia. Large register studies have demonstrated an increased mortality risk associated with non-use of antipsychotic drugs, but prospective studies are missing.

AIMS

To investigate the association between mortality and non-use of antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia.

METHOD

An open cohort study included and followed all patients with a discharge-diagnosis of schizophrenia consecutively admitted to a psychiatric acute unit at Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway during a 10 year period (n = 696). Cox multiple regression analyses were conducted with use of antipsychotic drugs as a time dependent variable, and periods of use and non-use were compared within individual patients. Adjustments were made for gender, age at index admission, number of acute psychiatric hospital admissions, excessive use of alcohol and illicit substances and use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants.

RESULTS

A total of 68 (9.8%) deaths were registered during follow-up. Of these, 40 (59%) had natural causes, whereas 26 (38%) had unnatural causes. Non-use of antipsychotics was associated with 2.15 (p = .01, CI: 1.24-3.72) times higher mortality risk compared to use of antipsychotics. The difference in mortality risk between use and non-use of antipsychotic drugs was age dependent, with the largest risk difference in young patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-use of antipsychotic drugs was associated with twofold increased mortality risk in patients with schizophrenia.

Renewed call for lifestyle interventions to address obesity among individuals with serious mental illness in the COVID-19 era and beyond

Behavioral health has the opportunity to lead the way in using lifestyle interventions to address obesity and health disparities in people with serious mental illness (SMI) in the COVID-19 era. Evidence-based interventions for weight loss in individuals with SMI exist, and the field has developed strategies for implementing these interventions in real-world mental health care settings. In addition to promoting weight loss, lifestyle interventions have the potential to address social isolation and loneliness and other patient-centered outcomes among individuals with SMI, which will be especially valuable for mitigating the growing concerns about loneliness attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on in-person encounters. In this commentary, we discuss practice, policy, and research implications related to using evidence-based lifestyle interventions for individuals with SMI during the COVID-19 pandemic and sustaining these programs in the long-term.

Impact of severe mental illness on healthcare use and health outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes: a longitudinal observational study in England

Background

People with severe mental illnesses (SMIs) have reduced life expectancy compared with the general population. Diabetes is a contributor to this disparity, with higher prevalence and poorer outcomes in people with SMI.

Aim

To determine the impact of SMI on healthcare processes and outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Design and setting

Retrospective, observational, matched, nested, case–control study conducted in England using patient records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linked to Hospital Episode Statistics.

Method

A range of healthcare processes (primary care consultations, physical health checks, and metabolic measurements) and outcomes (prevalence and hospitalisation for cardiovascular disease [CVD], and mortality risk) were compared for 2192 people with SMI and T2DM (cases) with 7773 people who had diabetes alone (controls). Sociodemographics, comorbidity, and medication prescription were covariates in regression models.

Results

When compared with results for participants with T2DM only, SMI was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.919, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.602 to 2.300) and CVD-specific mortality (HR 2.242, 95% CI = 1.547 to 3.250), higher primary care physician consultation rates (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.149, 95% CI = 1.111 to 1.188), more-frequent checks of blood pressure (IRR 1.024, 95% CI = 1.003 to 1.046) and cholesterol (IRR 1.038, 95% CI = 1.019 to 1.058), lower prevalence of angina (odds ratio 0.671, 95% CI = 0.450 to 1.001), more emergency admissions for angina (IRR 1.532, 95% CI = 1.069 to 2.195), and fewer elective admissions for ischaemic heart disease (IRR 0.682, 95% CI = 0.508 to 0.915).

Conclusion

Monitoring of metabolic measurements was comparable for people with T2DM who did, and did not, have SMI. Increased mortality rates observed in people with SMI may be attributable to underdiagnosis of CVD and delays in treatment.

Experiences of barriers to trans-sectoral treatment of patients with severe mental illness. A qualitative study

Background

Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have shorter life expectancy than people without SMI, mainly due to overmortality from physical diseases. They are treated by professionals in three different health and social care sectors with sparse collaboration between them, hampering coherent treatment. Previous studies have shown difficulties involved in establishing such collaboration. As the preparatory phase of an intervention to improve physical health of people with SMI and increase collaboration across sector borders, we explored different actors’ experiences of barriers for collaboration.

Method

We collected qualitative data from patients, professionals in general practice, psychiatry and social psychiatry involved in the treatment of these patients. Data consisted of notes from meetings and observations, interviews, focus groups and workshops. Analysis was by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Results

The study revealed many obstacles to collaboration and coherent treatment, including the consultation structures in general practice, sectors being subject to different legislation, and incompatible IT systems. Professionals in general practice and social psychiatry felt that they were left with the responsibility for actions taken by hospital psychiatry without opportunity to discuss their concerns with psychiatrists. There were also cultural differences between health care and social psychiatry, expressed in ideology and language. Social psychiatry had an existential approach to recovery, whereas the views of health professionals were linked to symptom control and based on outcomes. Meanwhile, patients were left in limbo between these separate ideologies with no leadership in place to promote dialogue and integrate treatments between the sectors.

Conclusion

Many obstacles to integrated trans-sectoral treatment of patients with SMI seem related to a lack of an overriding leadership and organizational support to establish collaboration and remove barriers related to legislation and IT. However, professional and ideological barriers also contribute. Psychiatry does not consider general practice to be part of the treatment team although general practitioners are left with responsibility for decisions taken in psychiatry; and different ideologies and treatment principles in psychiatry and municipal social psychiatry hamper the dialogue between them. There is a need to rethink the organization to avoid that the three sectors live autonomous lives with different cultures and lack of collaboration.

Mortality among male forensic and non-forensic psychiatric patients: matched cohort study of rates, predictors and causes-of-death

Background: The mortality of forensic psychiatric (FP) patients compared to non-forensic psychiatric (non-FP) patients has been sparsely examined.Methods: We conducted a matched cohort study and compared Danish male FP patients (n = 490) who underwent pre-trial forensic psychiatric assessment (FPA) 1980-1992 and were subsequently sentenced to psychiatric treatment with matched (on year of birth, marital status, and municipality of residence) male non-FP patients (n = 490) and male general population controls (n = 1716). FP and non-FP patients were also matched on major psychiatric diagnostic categories. To determine mortality and identify potential predictors of mortality, we linked nationwide register data (demographics, education, employment, psychiatric admission pattern and diagnoses, cause of death) to study cohorts. Average follow-up time was 19 years from FPA assessment/sampling until death/censoring or 31 December 2010 and risk factors were studied/controlled with Cox proportional hazard analysis.Results: Overall, psychiatric patients had significantly higher mortality compared to matched general population controls (medium to large effects). Among patients, 44% (213) of FP vs. 36% (178) of matched non-FP patients died during follow-up (p = 0.02). When we used Cox regression modeling to control for potential risk factors; age, education, immigrant background, employed/studying at index, length of psychiatric inpatient stay/year, and ever being diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD), FP patient status was no longer significantly associated with increased mortality, whereas SUD and longer inpatient time per year were independently associated with increased mortality.Discussion: This study suggests that SUD and longer inpatient time per year are independent risk factors for increased mortality in psychiatric patients.

Effectiveness of a brief lifestyle intervention targeting mental health staff: analysis of physical fitness and activity in the Keeping Our Staff in Mind study

BACKGROUND

People with mental illness die on average 15 years less than the general population, primarily to cardiometabolic disease. Lifestyle interventions are effective in reducing cardiometabolic risk but are not routinely provided to mental health consumers. Lifestyle interventions targeting mental health staff may be beneficial in changing culture surrounding physical health and subsequently improving consumer outcomes. This study examines exercise and fitness outcomes of a targeted lifestyle intervention directed at Australian mental health staff.

METHODS

A pragmatic single-arm intervention study was conducted within an Australian public mental health service. Mental health staff were provided a five-session individualised lifestyle intervention (incorporating exercise and nutritional counselling) over 5 weeks. Two waves of the programme were delivered between 2015 and 2016. This paper examines the exercise and fitness outcomes of the second wave of the study. Participants were assessed at baseline and at a 16-week follow-up. The primary exercise outcome was a measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness. Secondary outcomes included self-reported physical activity and a measurement of handgrip strength.

RESULTS

A total of 106 staff participated in this component of the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness increased significantly from baseline to follow-up (p<0.001). Significant improvements to physical activity occurred with decreases in sedentary time (p<0.0005) and increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION

Lifestyle interventions incorporating exercise counselling may improve the physical health of mental health staff. Such strategies may be effective in improving culture surrounding physical health and/or increasing the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions targeting mental health consumers.

Keeping our staff in mind: Dietary results of a lifestyle intervention targeting mental health staff

ISSUES ADDRESSED

1) Describe the dietary intake of mental health staff within South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and 2) Evaluate the impact of an individualised staff lifestyle program on the following nutrition parameters; (i) energy, (ii) core food groups and (iii) discretionary foods.

METHODS

This was a pragmatic single-arm intervention study, conducted for all staff working in a public mental health service, in Sydney, Australia. A five-session individualised lifestyle intervention delivered over 5 weeks incorporated nutritional counselling delivered by a dietitian. Participants were assessed at baseline, following the intervention, and at follow-up using diet history to assess dietary intake.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight staff completed the dietary intervention and follow-up. An intake of core food groups significantly below national recommendations was reported for total vegetables (-1.75 ± 0.14 serves, P < .001), fruit (-0.29 ± 0.11 serves, P = .01), grains (-1.25 ± 0.20 serves, P < .001) and dairy servings (-1.00 ± 1.08 serves, P < .001), and protein-based foods were significantly above national recommendations (0.2 ± 0.09 serves, P = .03). At completion of the program, energy from discretionary foods was reduced by 460 kJ (95% CI -635 to -285, P < .001), and the serves of total vegetables (0.91 serves, 95% CI 0.59-1.22, P < .001) and dairy (0.31 serves, 95% CI 0.11-0.50, P < .001) were increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

A workplace-based well-being program for staff working in the mental health setting coincided with dietary improvements.

SO WHAT

Mental health staff can act as positive role models for clients to promote developing positive physical health behaviours.

Improving physical health outcomes for people with severe mental illness: A proof-of-concept study of nurse practitioner candidate practice

People with severe mental illness have significantly reduced life expectancy and higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than the general population. There is a critical need for quality physical health care to improve consumers' health outcomes. There is minimal knowledge, however, on the impact of mental health nurse practitioner candidate (NPC) practices on consumers' health outcomes. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to describe the impacts of NPC practices on the quality of physical healthcare provision and physical health outcomes (cardiovascular and cardiometabolic) of consumers in community mental health service settings. Using a mixed methods design, quantitative data were collected for 12 months prior to (Period 1), and 12 months during (Period 2), the candidacy period. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of n = 10 consumers to explore their perspectives on physical healthcare provision by the NPCs. During the 12-month candidacy period, the number of metabolic monitoring assessments rose from n = 55 in Period 1 to n = 146 in Period 2 (P < 0.01, χ²  = 41.20). Advanced practices provided by NPCs included taking an extensive holistic history and clinical examination, ordering diagnostic pathology, and clinical simulation of physical health medication prescription (under medical supervision). Analysis of consumer interviews resulted in two themes: (i) positive and helpful NPC health care and (ii) improvements in physical and mental health. The findings add new knowledge on specialist mental health nurse practitioner candidate roles and demonstrate the benefits these roles can have in reducing the significant morbidity and mortality of mental health consumers.

Screening for obstructive lung disease in hospitalized psychiatric patients

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of mortality worldwide and it remains under-diagnosed. Unrecognized somatic disease contributes significantly to the observed increased mortality rate in patients with psychiatric diseases.Aims: To investigate whether screening with spirometry and simple questions on respiratory symptoms were efficacious in identifying previously unknown cases of COPD and/or asthma in patients admitted to psychiatric wards.Methods: In this observational cohort study, we included hospitalized psychiatric patients in2013. All were assessed with handheld spirometry, medical history and completion of a simple, short questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, the COPD assessment test (CAT questionnaire).Results: In total, 106 patients were screened and 45 patients (age: median 45, range 19-75, 43% female gender) were included whereas 61 patients (age: median 42, range 19-73) 34% female gender) were excluded. Prior to screening three patients (6.5%) reported having a diagnosis of COPD whereas eight patients (17%) reported having a diagnosis of asthma. Six new cases were diagnosed with COPD and four new cases with asthma. The number needed to screen to find one new case was 3.4 (total cohort 4.5).Conclusion: We present a simple study where the patients are screened for obstructive lung disease with a handheld spirometry and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Number needed to screen is low at 3.4-4.5. In all, 10 new cases of obstructive lung disease were diagnosed. This study illustrates that screening for COPD and asthma is feasible even in a psychiatric population.

Potential gains in life expectancy from reducing amenable mortality among people diagnosed with serious mental illness in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

To estimate the potential gain in life expectancy from addressing modifiable risk factors for all-cause mortality (excluding suicide and deaths from accidents or violence) across specific serious mental illness (SMI) subgroups, namely schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, and bipolar disorders in a Western population.

METHODS

We have used relative risks from recent meta-analyses to estimate the population attribution fraction (PAF) due to specific modifiable risk factors known to be associated with all-cause mortality within SMI. The potential gain in life expectancy at birth, age 50 and age 65 years were assessed by estimating the combined effect of modifiable risk factors from different contextual levels (behavioural, healthcare, social) and accounting for the effectiveness of existing interventions tackling these factors. Projections for annual gain in life expectancy at birth during a two-decade was estimated using the Annual Percentage Change (APC) formula. The predicted estimates were based on mortality rates for year 2014-2015.

RESULTS

Based on the effectiveness of existing interventions targeting these modifiable risk factors, we estimated potential gain in life expectancy at birth of four (bipolar disorders), six (schizoaffective disorders), or seven years (schizophrenia). The gain in life expectancy at age 50 years was three (bipolar disorders) or five (schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders) years. The projected gain in life expectancy at age 65 years was three (bipolar disorders) or four (schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders) years.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of existing interventions targeting modifiable risk factors could narrow the current mortality gap between the general and the SMI populations by 24% (men) to 28% (women). These projections represent ideal circumstances and without the limitation of overestimation which often comes with PAFs.

The Relationship between 10 Years Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Schizophrenia Symptoms: Preliminary Results

OBJECTIVE

Previous research shows that patients with schizophrenia have increased cardiovascular disease risk than general population. Increased cardiovascular risk in schizophrenia patients have been associated with many reasons such as antipsychotic drugs, genetic predisposition, andlifestyle. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the risk of heart disease and schizophrenia symptomatology.

METHODS

The 10-year cardiovascular risk was assessed by the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in 103 patients with schizophrenia and in 39 healthy controls. Sociodemographic characteristics, age at schizophrenia onset, duration of illness, number of hospitalizations, the course of the disease and antipsychotic medications were recorded. Patients' symptoms were evaluated via The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS).

RESULTS

Ten-year cardiovascular risk was 5.16% inpatients with schizophrenia, and 3.02% in control group (p=0.030). No significant correlation was found between FRS scores, SANS, SAPS, and CDSS scores. However, FRS scores were significantly correlated with age, number of hospitalizations and duration of disease (r=0.300, 0.261, 0.252, respectively). Moreover FRS scores were higher (p=0.008) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were lower (p=0.048) in patients using multiple antipsychotics.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest a relationship between the risk of cardiovascular disease and the duration and overall severity of schizophrenia and also highlights the role of antipsychotics in this relationship.

Primary care management of cardiovascular risk for people with severe mental illnesses: the Primrose research programme including cluster RCT

Background

Effective interventions are needed to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with severe mental illnesses (SMI) because their risk of CVD is higher than that of the general population.

Objectives

(1) Develop and validate risk models for predicting CVD events in people with SMI and evaluate their cost-effectiveness, (2) develop an intervention to reduce levels of cholesterol and CVD risk in SMI and (3) test the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this new intervention in primary care.

Design

Mixed methods with patient and public involvement throughout. The mixed methods were (1) a prospective cohort and risk score validation study and cost-effectiveness modelling, (2) development work (focus groups, updated systematic review of interventions, primary care database studies investigating statin prescribing and effectiveness) and (3) cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessing the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a new practitioner-led intervention, and fidelity assessment of audio-recorded appointments.

Setting

General practices across England.

Participants

All studies included adults with SMI (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other non-organic psychosis). The RCT included adults with SMI and two or more CVD risk factors.

Interventions

The intervention consisted of 8–12 appointments with a practice nurse/health-care assistant over 6 months, involving collaborative behavioural approaches to CVD risk factors. The intervention was compared with routine practice with a general practitioner (GP).

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome for the risk score work was CVD events, in the cost-effectiveness modelling it was quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and in the RCT it was level of total cholesterol.

Data sources

Databases studies used The Health Improvement Network (THIN). Intervention development work included focus groups and systematic reviews. The RCT collected patient self-reported and routine NHS GP data. Intervention appointments were audio-recorded.

Results

Two CVD risk score models were developed and validated in 38,824 people with SMI in THIN: the Primrose lipid model requiring cholesterol levels, and the Primrose body mass index (BMI) model with no blood test. These models performed better than published Cox Framingham models. In health economic modelling, the Primrose BMI model was most cost-effective when used as an algorithm to drive statin prescriptions. Focus groups identified barriers to, and facilitators of, reducing CVD risk in SMI including patient engagement and motivation, staff confidence, involving supportive others, goal-setting and continuity of care. Findings were synthesised with evidence from updated systematic reviews to create the Primrose intervention and training programme. THIN cohort studies in 16,854 people with SMI demonstrated that statins effectively reduced levels of cholesterol, with similar effect sizes to those in general population studies over 12–24 months (mean decrease 1.2 mmol/l). Cluster RCT: 76 GP practices were randomised to the Primrose intervention (n = 38) or treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 38). The primary outcome (level of cholesterol) was analysed for 137 out of 155 participants in Primrose and 152 out of 172 in TAU. There was no difference in levels of cholesterol at 12 months [5.4 mmol/l Primrose vs. 5.5 mmol/l TAU; coefficient 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.22 to 0.29], nor in secondary outcomes related to cardiometabolic parameters, well-being or medication adherence. Mean cholesterol levels decreased over 12 months in both arms (–0.22 mmol/l Primrose vs. –0.39 mmol/l TAU). There was a significant reduction in the cost of inpatient mental health attendances (–£799, 95% CI –£1480 to –£117) and total health-care costs (–£895, 95% CI –£1631 to –£160; p = 0.012) in the intervention group, but no significant difference in QALYs (–0.011, 95% CI –0.034 to 0.011). A total of 69% of patients attended two or more Primrose appointments. Audiotapes revealed moderate fidelity to intervention delivery (67.7%). Statin prescribing and adherence was rarely addressed.

Limitations

RCT participants and practices may not represent all UK practices. CVD care in the TAU arm may have been enhanced by trial procedures involving CVD risk screening and feedback.

Conclusions

SMI-specific CVD risk scores better predict new CVD if used to guide statin prescribing in SMI. Statins are effective in reducing levels of cholesterol in people with SMI in UK clinical practice. This primary care RCT evaluated an evidence-based practitioner-led intervention that was well attended by patients and intervention components were delivered. No superiority was shown for the new intervention over TAU for level of cholesterol, but cholesterol levels decreased over 12 months in both arms and the intervention showed fewer inpatient admissions. There was no difference in cholesterol levels between the intervention and TAU arms, which might reflect better than standard general practice care in TAU, heterogeneity in intervention delivery or suboptimal emphasis on statins.

Future work

The new risk score should be updated, deployed and tested in different settings and compared with the latest versions of CVD risk scores in different countries. Future research on CVD risk interventions should emphasise statin prescriptions more. The mechanism behind lower costs with the Primrose intervention needs exploring, including SMI-related training and offering frequent support to people with SMI in primary care.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN13762819.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 7, No. 2. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. Professor David Osborn is supported by the University College London Hospital NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and he was also in part supported by the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) North Thames at Barts Health NHS Trust.

Evaluation of a Physical health plan for people with psychosis: a protocol for a quality improvement study

Background

People with serious mental illness (SMI) have poorer physical health and reduced lifespans compared to the general population. Reasons for this are complex, but one important area is the identification and treatment of physical health conditions. In England, services are structured into primary and secondary care; physical and mental secondary health services are separate. This often leads to a lack of co-ordination of care, with people missing the screening and treatment they need. People with SMI may find accessing physical health services more difficult due to the impact of their symptoms and/or a lack of social support. When they do access physical care, there may be ‘diagnostic overshadowing’ where physical health concerns are put down to a mental health diagnosis. Creating tools to support people with SMI to assume more control of their physical health may help to ameliorate some of these problems. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of a service user-held Physical health plan (PHP) for secondary mental health service users to determine whether its use increases uptake of physical health services.

Methods

We will undertake a pilot quality improvement (QI) study to test the use of the PHP. The development of the PHP is described. A Theory of Change (ToC) has been developed which we will test to understand how the PHP is used, using focus groups at the beginning of the study. We will then pilot the use of the PHP for 6 months in two community mental health teams to find out how people use it, what actions are taken, and if it increases uptake of physical health care. We will use the RE-AIM implementation framework to guide the evaluation. After the pilot, we will undertake interviews with service users and clinical staff to elicit their views on using the PHP.

Discussion

This study uses QI methodology and an implementation framework to test a novel intervention for people with SMI. If successful, the intervention will support people with SMI to access physical health services. The study will inform the design of a larger-scale definitive RCT.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03178279. Registered date: 05/06/2017

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40814-019-0396-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mental health in the Americas: an overview of the treatment gap

Objective

To understand the mental health treatment gap in the Region of the Americas by examining the prevalence of mental health disorders, use of mental health services, and the global burden of disease.

Methods

Data from community-based surveys of mental disorders in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the United States were utilized. The World Mental Health Survey published data were used to estimate the treatment gap. For Canada, Chile, and Guatemala, the treatment gap was calculated from data files. The mean, median, and weighted treatment gap, and the 12-month prevalence by severity and category of mental disorder were estimated for the general adult, child-adolescent, and indigenous populations. Disability-adjusted Life Years and Years Lived with Disability were calculated from the Global Burden of Disease study.

Results

Mental and substance use disorders accounted for 10.5% of the global burden of disease in the Americas. The 12-month prevalence rate of severe mental disorders ranged from 2% - 10% across studies. The weighted mean treatment gap in the Americas for moderate to severe disorders was 65.7%; North America, 53.2%; Latin America, 74.7%; Mesoamerica, 78.7%; and South America, 73.1%. The treatment gap for severe mental disorders in children and adolescents was over 50%. One-third of the indigenous population in the United States and 80% in Latin America had not received treatment.

Conclusion

The treatment gap for mental health remains a public health concern. A high proportion of adults, children, and indigenous individuals with serious mental illness remains untreated. The result is an elevated prevalence of mental disorders and global burden of disease.

Antipsychotics and mortality in a nationwide cohort of 29,823 patients with schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION

It has remained controversial if antipsychotic treatment is associated with increased or decreased mortality among patients with schizophrenia, and if there are any clinically meaningful differences between specific agents and routes of administration.

METHODS

We linked prospectively gathered nationwide register-based data during 2006-2013 to study all-cause mortality among all patients aged 16-64years with schizophrenia in Sweden (N=29,823 in total; N=4603 in the incident cohort). Multivariate Cox regression models were adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic covariates. Sensitivity analyses with the incident cohort were conducted to control for survival bias.

RESULTS

During the mean follow-up of 5.7years, 2515 patients (8.4%) died. During the maximum follow-up (7.5years), the lowest cumulative mortality was observed for second generation (SG) long-acting injection (LAI) use (7.5%). Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) compared to SG LAI use were 1.37 (95%CI 1.01-1.86) for first generation (FG) LAIs, 1.52 (1.13-2.05) for SG orals, 1.83 (1.33-2.50) for FG orals, and 3.39 (2.53-4.56) for nonuse of antipsychotics. Concerning specific agents, the lowest mortality was observed for once-monthly paliperidone LAI (0.11, 0.03-0.43), oral aripiprazole (0.22, 0.15-0.34), and risperidone LAI (0.31, 0.23-0.43). In pairwise comparison, LAIs were associated with 33% lower mortality than equivalent orals (0.67, 0.56-0.80). The results with incident cohort were consistent with the primary analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with schizophrenia, LAI use is associated with an approximately 30% lower risk of death compared with oral agents. SG LAIs and oral aripiprazole are associated with the lowest mortality.

Refractory Schizophrenia, Attempted Suicide, and Withdrawal of Life Support: A Clinical Ethics Case Report

BACKGROUND

Withdrawal of life support for an individual with refractory schizophrenia after attempted suicide remains controversial. Discussion regarding prognosis of mental illness and the distinction between somatic and mental illness brings out many ethical issues. This article will examine the role and weight of severe persistent mental illness in the withdrawal of life support after attempted suicide.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 30-year-old gentleman with deafness and schizophrenia was admitted with multiple self-inflicted visceral stab wounds. He developed postoperative complications necessitating ongoing critical care. The parties involved were as follows: the patient, his parents, the critical care trauma service, the palliative and psychiatry consult services, and the ethics committee. Over the patient's hospital course, his parents struggled to reconcile his poor preinjury quality of life with his ongoing need for intensive medical intervention. The primary and consulting teams were required to integrate differing perspectives on the patient's past responsiveness to treatment and the extent to which additional efforts might advance his quality of life and limit his future suffering and suicidality. The patient's surrogate decision makers unanimously requested withdrawal of life support. An ethics committee convened to address the question of whether refractory schizophrenia can produce so poor a quality of life as to merit the withdrawal of life-sustaining measures after a suicide attempt. Consensus was achieved, and life-sustaining measures were subsequently withdrawn, allowing the patient to pass away peacefully in an inpatient hospice facility.

Excess mortality in people with mental illness: findings from a Northern Italy psychiatric case register

PURPOSE

People with mental disorders show mortality rates up to 22.2 times higher than that of the general population. In spite of progressive increase in life expectancy observed in the general population, the mortality gap of people suffering from mental health problems has gradually widened. The aim of this paper was to study mortality rates in people suffering from mental illness in a cohort of people (16,981 subjects) in the local mental health register of the province of Modena during the decade 2006-2015.

METHODS

Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated to compare the mortality of people with mental disorders to the mortality of people living in the province of Modena and the excess of mortality was studied in relation to the following variables: gender, age group, diagnosis and causes of death. In addition, Poisson regression analysis was performed to study the association between patient characteristics and mortality.

RESULTS

An overall excess mortality of 80% was found in subjects under the care of mental health services as compared to the reference population (SMR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.7-1.9). Subjects in the 15-44 year group presented the highest SMR (9.2, 95% CI 6.9-11.4). The most prevalent cause of death was cancer (28.1% of deaths). At the Poisson regression, the diagnosis "Substance abuse and dependence" showed the highest relative risk (RR) (4.00). Moreover, being male, single, unemployed and with a lower qualification was associated with higher RRs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms that subjects with mental illness have higher SMR. Noteworthy, the overall higher risk of mortality was observed in the younger age group.

Parity of esteem: Addressing the inequalities between mental and physical healthcare

Parity of esteem means valuing mental health as much as physical health in order to close inequalities in mortality, morbidity or delivery of care. There is clear evidence that patients with mental illness receive inferior medical, surgical and preventive care. This further exacerbated by low help-seeking, high stigma, medication side-effects and relatively low resources in mental healthcare. As a result, patients with severe mental illness die 10–20 years prematurely and have a high rate of cardiometabolic complications and other physical illnesses. Many physical healthcare guidelines and policy recommendations address parity of esteem, but their implementation to date has been poor. All clinicians should be aware that inequalities in care are adversely influencing mental health outcomes, and managers, healthcare organisations and politicians should provide resources and education to address this gap.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the concept of parity of esteem

• Be aware of the current inequalities in mental healthcare

• Appreciate how parity of esteem may be improved

Care coordinator views and experiences of physical health monitoring in clients with severe mental illness: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Excess mortality among people with severe mental illness (SMI) is largely attributed to co-morbid physical illness. Improving the physical health of this population is critically important; however, physical health monitoring among people with SMI is often inadequate.

AIMS

This study aimed to facilitate an enhanced understanding of barriers to successfully attend to clients' physical health in mental health settings, through exploring care coordinators' views and experiences regarding their ability to monitor physical health in clients with SMI (specifically, psychosis).

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven care coordinators from a South East London (UK) community mental health team. Data were analysed using thematic analysis principles.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified in these data, capturing (1) how care coordinators viewed the professional roles of other clinical staff and themselves, (2) views on barriers to the provision of physical healthcare and (3) factors that motivated care coordinators to attend to clients' physical health.

CONCLUSION

Our findings can inform efforts to implement physical healthcare interventions within mental health settings. Such insights are timely, as academic literature and guidelines regarding clinical practice increasingly promote the value of integrated provision of mental and physical healthcare.

Association Between Mental Health Burden and Coronary Artery Disease in U.S. Women Veterans Over 45: A National Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The women Veteran population accessing Veterans Health Administration (VA) care has grown rapidly. Women Veterans exhibit high rates of mental health conditions that increase coronary artery disease (CAD) risk; however, the relationship between specific conditions and increasing mental health burden to CAD in this population is unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using VA National Patient Care Data for 2009, we identified women Veterans over 45 (N = 157,195). Logistic regression models examined different mental health diagnoses and increasing mental health burden (number of diagnostic clusters) as predictors of CAD.

RESULTS

CAD prevalence was 4.16%, and 36% of women Veterans were current smokers. Depression exhibited the strongest association with CAD (odds ratio [OR] 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.50-1.71]), similar to that of current smoking (OR 1.68 [1.58-1.78]). Controlling for demographic variables, smoking, diabetes, and obesity, each additional mental health diagnosis increased the odds of CAD by 44%.

CONCLUSIONS

Women Veterans over age 45 accessing VA care exhibited a high degree of mental health burden, which is associated with elevated odds of CAD; those with depression alone had 60% higher odds of CAD. For women Veterans using VA, mental health diagnoses may act as CAD risk factors that are potentially modifiable. Novel interventions in primary care and mental health are needed to address heart disease in this growing and aging population.

Improving life expectancy in people with serious mental illness: should we place more emphasis on primary prevention?

People with serious mental illness have a reduced life expectancy that is partly attributable to increased cardiovascular disease. One approach to address this is regular physical health monitoring. However, physical health monitoring is poorly implemented in everyday clinical practice and there is little evidence to suggest that it improves physical health. We argue that greater emphasis should be placed on primary prevention strategies such as assertive smoking cessation, dietary and exercise interventions and more judicious psychotropic prescribing.

Closing the mortality gap for severe mental illness: are we going in the right direction?

In this editorial, we discuss a UK-based cohort study examining the mortality gap for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder from 2000 to 2014. There have been concerted efforts to improve physical and mental healthcare for this population in recent decades. Have these initiatives reduced mortality and 'closed the gap'?

Limited interface between physiotherapy primary care and people with severe mental illness: a qualitative study

QUESTIONS

How do mental health professionals perceive the role of physiotherapists in the care of people with severe and persistent mental illness, and what factors do they perceive as influencing access to physiotherapy services? How do people with severe and persistent mental illness understand the potential role of physiotherapy in their healthcare, and what factors do they perceive as influencing access to physiotherapy services?

DESIGN

Qualitative study.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-four mental health professionals and 35 people with severe and persistent mental illness.

METHODS

Interview schedules were developed to explore participants' understanding of physiotherapy, as well as barriers and enablers to service access. Focus groups and interviews were conducted for each group of participants. Transcripts were analysed using an inductive approach to derive key themes.

RESULTS

Both the mental health professionals and the people with severe and persistent mental illness expressed a limited understanding of the role and relevance of physiotherapy for physical health in mental healthcare. Common barriers to service access were cost, transport and lack of motivation. Likewise, enablers of reduced cost, provision of transport and education about physiotherapy to improve their understanding were identified. The health system structure and perceived lack of mental health knowledge by physiotherapists influenced referrals from mental health professionals. Consequently, education in mental health for physiotherapists and integration of the service within mental health were identified as potential enablers to physiotherapy access.

CONCLUSION

Limited understanding about physiotherapy and its relevance to physical health in mental healthcare among mental health professionals and people with severe and persistent mental illness was found to be a key factor influencing service access. Limited physiotherapy presence and advocacy within mental health were also highlighted. There is a need for greater understanding about physiotherapy among stakeholders, and for physiotherapists to be well equipped with skills and knowledge in mental health to facilitate greater involvement. [Lee S, Waters F, Briffa K, Fary RE (2017) Limited interface between physiotherapy primary care and people with severe mental illness: a qualitative study. Journal of Physiotherapy 63: 168-174].

Cardiometabolic health, prescribed antipsychotics and health-related quality of life in people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

People with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD) often have high levels of obesity and poor cardiometabolic health. Certain types of antipsychotics have been shown to contribute towards weight gain and there is some equivocal evidence that obesity is related to poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with SSD. It is also still uncertain if antipsychotic polypharmacy/higher doses of antipsychotics are linked with HRQoL and/or increased risk of obesity/Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Therefore, this study aimed to examine potential relationships between prescribed antipsychotic medication regimens, cardiometabolic health risks and HRQoL in community-based Chinese people with SSD.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study reports the results of baseline measurements of a random sample of patients in an ongoing controlled trial of physical health intervention for people with severe mental illness. Data from these randomly-selected participants (n = 82) were analysed to calculate 10-year CVD relative-risk (using QRISK®2 score), estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and contextualize patients' prescribed antipsychotics (types, combinations and Daily Defined Dose equivalent). Patients self-reported their HRQoL (SF12v2) and their obesity condition was assessed by waist-circumference and Body Mass Index (BMI).

RESULTS

Two-thirds of patients had a BMI ≥23 kg/m², almost half were centrally obese and 29% met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. The individual relative-risk of CVD ranged from 0.62 to 15, and 13% had a moderate-to-high 10-year CVD risk score. Regression models showed that lower physical HRQoL was predicted by higher BMI and lower mental HRQoL. Higher Defined Daily Dose, clozapine, younger age and male gender were found to explain 40% of the variance in CVD relative risk.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that cardiometabolic health risks in people with SSD may be more common than those reported in the general Hong Kong population. The results also provide further support for the need to consider antipsychotic polypharmacy and higher doses of antipsychotics as factors that may contribute towards cardiometabolic risk in Chinese patients with SSD. Clinicians in Hong Kong should consider using routine CVD risk screening, and be aware that younger male patients who are taking clozapine and prescribed higher Defined Daily Dose seem to have the highest relative-risk of CVD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02453217 . Prospectively registered on 19^th May 2015.

Nanomedicine in Psychiatry: New Therapeutic Opportunities from Research on Small RNAs

Preclinical Research Alterations in small non-coding RNAs have been observed in many human disease states including cancer, cardiovascular, developmental, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. These molecules have recently raised the interest of the scientific community for novel therapeutic approaches. Nanotechnologies, including the development of sophisticated nanoparticles, offer new ways for the delivery of small RNA-based therapies. The nanoparticle delivery method appears attractive, but so far most of the work in this area has been conducted in the context of cancer. New therapeutic strategies are needed for psychiatric disorders, where treatment is often ineffective, leading to frequent patient hospitalizations and a growing economic burden. In this article, we discuss the role of small RNAs in psychiatric diseases and how this new knowledge, combined with innovations in nanotechnologies, could lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Drug Dev Res 77 : 453-457, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mortality, Rehospitalisation and Violent Crime in Forensic Psychiatric Patients Discharged from Hospital: Rates and Risk Factors

Objectives

To determine rates and risk factors for adverse outcomes in patients discharged from forensic psychiatric services.

Method

We conducted a historical cohort study of all 6,520 psychiatric patients discharged from forensic psychiatric hospitals between 1973 and 2009 in Sweden. We calculated hazard ratios for mortality, rehospitalisation, and violent crime using Cox regression to investigate the effect of different psychiatric diagnoses and two comorbidities (personality or substance use disorder) on outcomes.

Results

Over mean follow-up of 15.6 years, 30% of patients died (n = 1,949) after discharge with an average age at death of 52 years. Over two-thirds were rehospitalised (n = 4,472, 69%), and 40% violently offended after discharge (n = 2,613) with a mean time to violent crime of 4.2 years. The association between psychiatric diagnosis and outcome varied—substance use disorder as a primary diagnosis was associated with highest risk of mortality and rehospitalisation, and personality disorder was linked with the highest risk of violent offending. Furthermore comorbid substance use disorder typically increased risk of adverse outcomes.

Conclusion

Violent offending, premature mortality and rehospitalisation are prevalent in patients discharged from forensic psychiatric hospitals. Individualised treatment plans for such patients should take into account primary and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses.