The association of medical comorbidity in schizophrenia with poor physicaland mental health

This study determined the prevalence of medical comorbidities in a cohort o f persons receiving treatment for schizophrenia and the association of medi cal comorbidity with physical and mental health status. A total of 719 pers ons with schizophrenia sampled from a variety of community and treatment se ttings as part of the schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) p articipated in a survey interview. Multiple regression analyses were used t o as sess sociodemographic factors associated with the number of current me dical comorbidities and the association of medical comorbidity count with p atient ratings of physical health, mental health, symptoms, and quality of Life. The majority of patients reported at least one medical problem. Probl ems with eyesight, teeth, and high blood pressure were most common. A great er number of current medical problems independently contributed to worse pe rceived physical health status, more severe psychosis and depression, and g reater Likelihood of a history of a suicide attempt. This study underscores the need to attend to somatic health care for persons with schizophrenia a s well as the linkage of physical and mental health status.