title: Factors associated with co-occurring medical conditions among adults with serious mental disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the prevalence and treatment of 17 co-occurring physical health conditions among adults with serious mental health disorders, and factors associated with prevalence of the 5 most common medical co-morbidities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 457 adults attending publicly funded mental health programs who participated in community health screenings held in 4 U.S. states. Face-to-face interviews included standardized items from the National Health Interview Survey and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Ordinary least squares regression analysis examined associations between prevalence of the 5 most common co-morbid conditions and respondents' demographic, clinical, attitudinal, and health insurance statuses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the U.S. population, prevalence was significantly higher for 14 out of 17 medical conditions assessed. The 5 most common were hyperlipidemia (45%), hypertension (44%), asthma (28%), arthritis (22%), and diabetes (21%). Controlling for age, study site, and Medicaid status, racial/ethnic minorities were almost twice as likely as Caucasians to be diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes; women were almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with diabetes; and people with schizophrenia were around half as likely as those with other disorders to be diagnosed with hypertension and arthritis. Age was positively related to all conditions except asthma. Treatment prevalence was below 70% for approximately half of ongoing conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest a high level of medical vulnerability and need for coordination of health and mental health services in this population. Associations with age, minority status, and gender point to the need for targeted health care strategies.
authors.affiliation: Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, United States. Electronic address: razzano@psych.uic.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Razzano
authors.affiliation: Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Chantelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yost
authors.affiliation: Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jonikas
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, 8 Spring Street, Freehold, NJ 07728, United States.
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Swarbrick
authors.affiliation: Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: Tina M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Georgia Regents University, Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, 1120, 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, United States.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Health disparities; Medical co-morbidity; Serious mental illness