Reducing diabetes type 2 risk in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia, a thirty-month program

IntroductionDiabetes type 2 is 2–3 fold more common in patients with schizophrenia compared to the general population. A lifestyle with focus on diet, exercise and medication is required to prevent complications from diabetes type 2.ObjectivesPatients may have trouble complying with a well-structured and healthy lifestyle because of factors related to their illness e.g. cognitive disturbances, negative/positive symptoms and treatment with psychotropic medication.AimsTo measure and reduce diabetes type 2 risk factors in patients and examine characteristics associated with a positive outcome.MethodsA naturalistic intervention study through 30 months of clinical work with individual guidance, group sessions and treatment as usual.ResultsAt index, the newly diagnosed patients had a high consumption of soft drinks and low physical activity. Over time, the newly diagnosed patients worsened their physical profile with increased weight, waist circumference, visceral adiposity index (P = 0.030) and HbA1c (P = 0.010). HbA1c increased for newly diagnosed male patients with 0.24 m.mol/L (P = 0.007). The long-term patient's physical activity level was low. After the intervention, they improved in consumption of soft drinks (P = 0.001) and fast food meals (P = 0.009). Furthermore, the long-term patients lowered their weight and waist circumference while becoming more physically active. There were no changes in HbA1c in the intervention period.ConclusionOur study showed being long-term ill and female gender was associated with positive outcome of lifestyle intervention into improving physical health and reducing diabetes type 2 risk, meanwhile being newly diagnosed and being male showed a negative outcome despite intervention.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.