Body weight and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia evaluated with B-WISE.
BACKGROUND
Metabolic abnormalities and weight gain are an important problem in patients with schizophrenia. An instrument to evaluate body image and self-esteem related to weight has recently been developed (B-WISE). The first objective was to evaluate whether the findings of the original validation study could be confirmed in a European sample. The second objective was to explore the association of B-WISE scores with the metabolic syndrome and glucose abnormalities.


METHODS
A Dutch translation of B-WISE was tested in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia (n=300) who underwent an extensive metabolic screening.


RESULTS
The original findings with B-WISE were confirmed in an independent sample. Scores on B-WISE differed significantly as a function of BMI. Scores on B-WISE also differentiated patients with and without the metabolic syndrome and glucose abnormalities. Patients experiencing a recent weight gain had lower self-esteem and poorer psychosocial adaptation.


CONCLUSIONS
B-WISE could be a useful instrument to evaluate the subjective psychosocial consequences associated with current weight and weight gain in patients with schizophrenia.
De Hert
Marc
M
University Psychiatric Center Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuvense Steenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium. mark.de.hert@uc-kortenberg.be
Peuskens
Bie
B
van Winkel
Ruud
R
Kalnicka
Dita
D
Hanssens
Linda
L
Van Eyck
Dominique
D
Wyckaert
Sabien
S
Peuskens
Joseph
J
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents