May 22, 2012
CALGARY– A new research study by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the University of Calgary is examining why people with schizophrenia develop cardiovascular disease earlier, and are less likely to recover, than people without this mental disorder.
Most people with schizophrenia die from natural causes and the majority of deaths are due to cardiovascular disease but this occurs up to 20 years earlier than the general population. The average life expectancy of individuals with schizophrenia is around 60 years, with cardiovascular disease mortality rates two times higher than in people who don’t have schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia affects roughly one per cent of the population, meaning there are about 12,000 people with schizophrenia in Calgary.
“The main problem is that for people with schizophrenia, cardiovascular disease occurs much earlier in life and we don’t know precisely why,” says Dr. Thomas Raedler, a psychiatrist and member of the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute.
“There could be multiple factors involved, including side effects of some of the commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications, as well as lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor diet and inactivity. However, it is also possible that schizophrenia itself increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
In the study, which is a collaboration between the Departments of Psychiatry and Cardiac Sciences, researchers look specifically at how well the endothelium – the inner lining of the blood vessels – functions in people with schizophrenia.
Dr. Martin Vetter, who is conducting the study, adds that “changes in endothelial function are a very early indicator of increased risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Researchers will compare endothelial function in 50 people with schizophrenia, and 50 people in a healthy control group, all of whom are under the age of 45. Testing involves ultrasound, a standard blood pressure test and a monitoring device on the index finger.
“We hope to get a clearer picture of when and how endothelial function begins to deteriorate in this patient population,” says cardiologist Dr. Todd Anderson, director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta and co-leader of Alberta Innovates’ Alberta Heart, a provincewide research team. “Armed with a better understanding, we may one day be able to provide earlier and better cardiovascular interventions for people with schizophrenia.”
Representatives from the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta look forward to learning more about the results of the study.
“The physical health of people with schizophrenia is as important as their mental health in long-term recovery, but is often overlooked in the face of debilitating symptoms of depression and psychosis,” says Fiona Haynes, branch manager of the Calgary chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta.
“The shorter life expectancy due to cardiovascular illness that individuals with the disorder face has long been a concern of the Schizophrenia Society. We wholeheartedly support research that will further our understanding of schizophrenia and potentially help prevent early death from cardiovascular disease.”
Researchers are looking for more people in both test groups to participate in the study. They are especially interested in testing smokers with no health problems, since many people with schizophrenia are smokers themselves. To learn more about participating in the study, contact Dr. Martin Vetter, at 403-210-6389 or vasp@ucalgary.ca.
Pfizer Canada is providing funding to support the research.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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