title: Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of premature death in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia using methods proven effective in short-term trials. Furthermore, we examined whether any baseline characteristics were associated with positive outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  All outpatients treated for schizophrenia at two Danish hospitals were included in this 1-year follow-up study. The patients were offered health interventions both individually and in groups. Weight, waist circumference, blood glucose, serum lipids, and information on smoking and alcohol were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, small significant increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences were observed while small non-significant improvements in other cardiovascular risk factors were seen. Patients with high baseline BMI and patients with duration of treated illness beyond 2 years had significantly better intervention outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that it was difficult to improve physical health in a group of non-selected patients with schizophrenia as part of routine care. The patients were not easily motivated to participate in the interventions, and it was difficult to monitor the recommended metabolic risk measures in the patient group. Future research should focus on simple strategies in health promotion that can be integrated into routine care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Psychiatric Disorders and Emergency Ward (Dept. M), Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Risskov, Denmark Mettevhansen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mette Vinther
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Regional Psychiatry Hospital, Randers, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hjorth
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Psychiatric Disorders and Emergency Ward (Dept. M), Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Risskov, Denmark.
authors.forename: Christina Blanner
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.affiliation: Regional Psychiatry Hospital West, Herning, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vandborg
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Psychiatric Disorders and Emergency Ward (Dept. M), Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Risskov, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lea Nørgaard
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Psychiatric Disorders and Emergency Ward (Dept. M), Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Risskov, Denmark.
authors.forename: Povl
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Munk-Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008055:Lipids; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010045:Outpatients; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D012907:Smoking; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Schizophrenia; body mass index; cardiovascular diseases; follow-up studies; obesity/prevention and control