Seventy-three percent of outpatients with psychotic disorders needed health promotion interventions, but 61% of those were not receiving any municipal health-promoting care.
Community mental health teams, public health planners, and psychiatric service administrators.
61% unservedof psychosis outpatients needing health promotion received no municipal health-promoting treatment
What the researchers found
73% of outpatients needed health promotion based on BMI and substance use. 36% had somatic comorbidities (15% diabetes, 10% cardiovascular disease). 41% smoked ~19 cigarettes daily. Mean BMI was 34 for women and 29 for men.
Why it matters
Premature death in psychosis patients is largely driven by preventable lifestyle-related diseases. This study quantifies the massive gap between need and delivery of health-promoting interventions.
The numbers in context
165 of 206 eligible outpatients participated. 73% needed health promotion. 61% of those received none. 36% had somatic comorbidities. 41% smoked mean 19 cigarettes/day. Mean BMI: women 34, men 29.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional study of 165 outpatients from three psychiatric clinics in Southern Denmark using screening tools, blood tests, body measurements, and medication records.
Who was studied
165 outpatients with primary non-affective psychotic disorders from three psychiatric clinics in Southern Denmark.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design captures one time point. Danish healthcare system may not generalize. Self-reported substance use. Three clinics may not represent all psychosis care.
How to read the evidence
Cross-sectional study providing clear needs assessment; straightforward methodology.
When this study was published
Recent Danish study of outpatient psychosis care.
The bigger picture
This study highlights a systematic failure to provide basic health promotion to one of the most medically vulnerable populations, contributing to the well-documented 15-20 year life expectancy gap in psychosis patients.
Replication
Danish context; similar gaps likely exist internationally.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Why are so few psychosis patients receiving health promotion services?
- Would integrated physical and mental health care reduce the mortality gap?
Read the original research
Outpatients with psychotic disorders need physical health-promoting treatment: A cross-sectional multisite study.
Heliyon, 9(11), e21670
Citation
Kaasgaard, Didde Marie; Stryhn, Lene; Veldt Larsen, Pia; Fisker, Lone; Friis Elliott, Anja; Høgh, Lene; Thunberg, Rolf; Knudsgaard Sørensen, Mette; Martinsen, Pernille; Kjær Hansen, Hanne; Munk-Jørgensen, Povl; Hjorth, Peter. (2023). Outpatients with psychotic disorders need physical health-promoting treatment: A cross-sectional multisite study.. Heliyon, 9(11), e21670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21670