Effect of a 30-Month Health-Promoting Program on the Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With First Episode Schizophrenia.

Background: Lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) have shown modest efficacy, probably owing to a short observation period and the presumption of linear trajectories of cardiovascular risk factors.

Study Question: How prevalent are abnormal cardiovascular values in patients with FES and how do cardiovascular risk factors develop during a 30-month program?

Study Design: A 30-month naturalistic longitudinal study of 136 consecutively referred patients with FES from 2 outpatient clinics. The health-promoting program consisted of individual guidance, group sessions, and normal treatment and care.

Improving quality of life and physical health in patients with schizophrenia: A 30-month program carried out in a real-life setting.

Background: Patients with schizophrenia experience low quality of life (QoL) and poor physical health, which is explained, in part, by unhealthy lifestyle, tobacco smoking, poor diet and sedentary behavior.

Aim: To measure QoL and physical health in patients with schizophrenia and to quantify associations between QoL and physical health.

Methods: This was a naturalistic longitudinal 30-month follow-up study including individual guidance, group sessions and treatment as usual.

Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: 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.

Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: 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.