Health Perceptions and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes in Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Introduction: People with serious psychiatric disorders requiring long-term care and treatment are known to have higher rates of various physical diseases and early mortality. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate health perceptions and risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes in patients with psychiatric disorders. Method: Data were collected from a group of 228 patients using the Health Perception Scale, the Metabolic Syndrome Assessment Form and the American Diabetes Association Diabetes Risk Test. Results: The patients had moderately positive health perceptions, 51.3% had moderate risk, 10.1% had high risk of metabolic syndrome, 27.6% were at risk for diabetes. Low health self-awareness was associated with higher diabetes and metabolic syndrome risk, and diabetes risk was also positively associated with metabolic syndrome risk. Discussion: The interrelatedness of health perceptions, diabetes risk and metabolic syndrome risk suggests the need for educational interventions focused on increasing awareness of self-care, nutrition, exercise and disease- and health-related issues specific to these patients. Implications for Practice: This study highlights the need for nurses to regularly screen patients with mental illness for diabetes and metabolic syndrome risk and to intervene accordingly.