title: Physical activity as a vital sign in patients with schizophrenia: Evidence and clinical recommendations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated whether in patients with schizophrenia the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) assessment can identify those at higher risk of cardio-metabolic abnormalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients with schizophrenia completed the PAVS-questions exploring whether they adhered to the general physical activity recommendations, underwent a full-fasting metabolic screening, and performed a six-minute walk test (6 MWT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those who do not adhere to the health recommendations according to the PAVS (n=61) were significantly older (37.1±11.3 versus 32.5±8.5 years, P=0.033) and more likely to be women (30/36 versus 31/64, P<0.001). Patients who do not meet the physical activity recommendations have a higher BMI (27.0±6.4 versus 23.3±3.1, P=0.017) performed worse on the 6MWT (531.1±84.2 m versus 657.0±98.2 m, P<0.001) and are at a significantly higher risk for cardio-metabolic diseases. Relative risks ranged from 1.07 (0.84-1.36) for having dyslipidemia to 4.65 (1.77-12.17) for having hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PAVS-baseline assessment should be included in the routine assessment of people with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven - University of Leuven Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Z.org UPC Leuven, campus Kortenberg, Kortenberg, Belgium. Electronic address: davy.vancampfort@uc-kortenberg.be.
authors.forename: Davy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vancampfort
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, United Kingdom; Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London Box SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Brendon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven - University of Leuven Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Z.org UPC Leuven, campus Kortenberg, Kortenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pos Graduacaoem Ciencias Medicas: Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Schuch
authors.affiliation: Butabika National Referral and Mental Health Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mugisha
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Philip B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012306:Risk; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Exercise; Physical activity; Psychosis; Schizophrenia