Physical Health in Schizophrenia and Role of Clinical Pharmacist: A Narrative Review
Deepak C G1, Juno Jerold Joel1★, Shrinivasa Undaru Bhat2★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, NITTE (Deemed to be University), NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, INDIA.
- 2Department of Psychiatry, NITTE (Deemed to be University), KS Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, INDIA.
CORRESPONDENCE
Juno Jerold Joel
Department of Pharmacy Practice, NITTE (Deemed to be University), NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, INDIA.
Received: 02-03-2024; Revised: 21-05-2024; Accepted: 19-07-2024.
Volume 16, Issue 4 · pp. 607–612 · PUBLISHED · DOI: 10.5530/jyp.2024.16.78
ABSTRACT
Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disease with an unknown aetiology affecting the biological functions of the brain. It is a psychiatric condition affecting both genders irrespective of race, social class and residential status. Globally lifetime of disease is 0.4%, with a 2.5% mortality rate. Schizophrenic patients die at a young age, about 15-20 years earlier than the general population. Premature death in schizophrenic patients is mainly due to physical illness in the form of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Seventy-five percent of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia exhibit a minimum of one physical illness and it is more complicated if symptoms are severe. Long-term drug therapy is an eminent risk factor for developing physical illnesses. There is no known cure for schizophrenia; thus, it requires lifelong treatment with antipsychotics. Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs), except clozapine are the first-line drugs for treating schizophrenia. These agents are likely to develop cardiovascular and metabolic side effects like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, weight gain, diabetes mellitus and obesity. Another contributing factor is a sedentary lifestyle. Ignoring these factors while undergoing treatment may result in increased burden, decreased quality of life and shorter life expectancy. Clinical pharmacists have a vital role in managing these patients through proper counselling and medication monitoring for better control of the illness.
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G, D. C., Joel, J. J., & Bhat, S. U. (). Physical Health in Schizophrenia and Role of Clinical Pharmacist: A Narrative Review. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 16(4), 607–612. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2024.16.78