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. 2011 Apr;127(1-3):257-61.
doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.12.008. Epub 2011 Jan 15.

Cardiovascular risk in a first-episode psychosis sample: a 'critical period' for prevention?

Vivek H Phutane  1 , Cenk Tek, Lydia Chwastiak, Joseph C Ratliff, Banu Ozyuksel, Scott W Woods, Vinod H Srihari
Affiliations

Cardiovascular risk in a first-episode psychosis sample: a 'critical period' for prevention?

Vivek H Phutane et al. Schizophr Res. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Studies in first episode psychosis samples about status of cardiovascular risk factors have shown discordant results. We aimed to determine the 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease in a sample of first episode psychosis patients referred to an early intervention clinic and compared the same with age, gender, and race matched controls from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of 56 subjects enrolled in first episode psychosis clinic from April 2006 to January 2010. This sample was compared with age, gender, and race matched 145 individuals drawn from NHANES 2005-2006 database. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected. Physical examination including laboratory evaluation was used to screen for common medical illnesses. The 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease was calculated by using a tool developed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATP III).

Results: There were elevated rates of smoking (46%) and hypertension (11%) albeit statistically significant differences from the control could not be demonstrated for these measures or weight, body mass index, or total or HDL cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, status of diabetes and impaired fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C level. The 10-year median (range) risk of developing coronary heart disease in patients and controls was 1 (0-5)% and 0 (0-9)% respectively. The difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: First episode psychosis patients do not present with significantly higher cardiovascular risk than age and race-matched controls despite clinically significant prevalence of individual risk factors. This sample presents an opportunity for early intervention for the primary prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of first episode psychosis (STEP) patients and chronic schizophrenia compared with age, gender and race matched controls from NHANES
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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