Methods to improve physical health and their efficacy and effectiveness in people with schizophrenia: An overview of Cochrane and non-Cochrane systematic reviews

Lead Researcher:

Dr Julie Broderick

Award Date:

31 December 2014

Host Institution:

Trinity College Dublin

Scheme:

Cochrane Training Fellowships

Summary:

Schizophrenia has been termed the ‘’abandoned illness’’ (http://www.schizophreniacommission.org.uk/) and can be a devastating diagnosis for individuals, their families and carers. Over time this disease can cause a significant erosion of physical health and well-being. As well as the human suffering associated with this

illness, average life expectancy of men and women with schizophrenia is 10-25 years shorter than those who do not suffer from the disease (Laursen et al. 2012) and the mortality gap compared to the general public appears to be widening (Saha et al. 2007). Part of the curtailed life expectancy is due to external factors such as suicide and accidents, but the majority is due to natural causes, especially cardiovascular disease (Brown, 2010). Methods to improve physical health can be considered on a continuum from brief once-off physical health advice to structured targeted interventions. This review aims to summarise evidence from trials, Cochrane reviews and non-Cochrane systematic reviews of methods used to improve physical health in people with schizophrenia and their efficacy and effectiveness by performing a full up to- date Cochrane overview.