Weight control programme for schizophrenia: Bridge between psychiatrists and primary care physicians
Abstract
This work contributes to the discussion about practical implications of physically ill health of psychiatric patients. Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for both cardioascular diseases and diabetes in schizophrenia-spectrum as well as bipolar disorders.
The educational programmes with behavioral components (diet and exercise) for psychiatric patients sucessfully prevent weight gain and lead to weight reduction in majority of participants. Following this idea in 2005 we introduced The Programme for Good Health (PPDZ) in 23 centres in the Czech Republic.
Up to June 2009, 1242 patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder participated. The 16-week structured programme is delivered by trained psychiatric nurses.The study sample constists of 732 patients who entered the programme between 2005-2007, out of those 499 participate at least in seven lessons.
Of the 499 participants 103 attended complex Day treatment programmes (DTP) and 396 attended specialized aoutpatient treatment course (OTC).