Body mass index and quality of life in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between sociodemographic variables, body weight and quality of life in schizophrenic outpatients.


METHODS
Assessments included an interview to obtain sociodemographic data, administration of a Quality of Life questionnaire (the MOS SF-36) and measurement of height and weight. Body mass index was calculated (kg/m(2)). SF-36 subscores were examined for statistical differences based on BMI categories: healthy weight (BMI<or=24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and obese (BMI>or=30). Correlations with sociodemographic variables were also examined.


RESULTS
Body weight was inversely correlated (level p<or=0.005) to the SF-36 items: physical functioning (PF, -0.452), role limitations due to physical functioning (-0.279), role limitations due to emotional functioning (-0.256), vitality (-0.200), general health (GH, -0.367) and physical component score (PCS, -0.400). Mental component score (MCS) was not significantly correlated to body weight. When comparing quality of life across BMI categories, obese subjects had worse physical functioning (p<or=0.0005) and general health (p<or=0.005), reported more role limitations due to emotional functioning (p<or=0.05) and a lower physical component score (p<or=0.005). Mental component score was not significantly influenced by BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
Quality of life in schizophrenic patients is related to body weight. The burden of obesity is primarily experienced as a physical problem.
Strassnig
Martin
M
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2593, USA.
Brar
Jaspreet Singh
JS
Ganguli
Rohan
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment