Aim: Weight gain, obesity and metabolic disturbances in youth with psychosis are significant contributors to the health burden of people with psychosis, with a two- to threefold increase in rates compared with the general population and a 20% reduction in life expectancy. Several studies have now described cardiometabolic benefits of a range of interventions, including a structured diet and exercise programmes and metformin for patients receiving antipsychotic medications. Despite the development of Australian consensus guidelines and screening algorithms to detect such metabolic abnormalities, there is a lack of guidelines for clinicians to determine appropriate, timely, targeted prevention and intervention to manage these complications in the youth population.
Methods: The Bondi Early Psychosis Programme targets young people (aged 15-25 years) experiencing their first episode of psychosis. This service has developed a model of metabolic screening and a treatment algorithm to provide clinicians with recommendations for targeted interventions.
Results: Positive Cardiometabolic Health: an early intervention framework for patients on psychotropic medication describes a method for early detection, prevention and intervention strategies targeting antipsychotic-induced metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusion: Although further research is required, there is sufficient evidence to support early intervention and prevention strategies to improve physical health outcomes in young people with first-episode psychosis.
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.