Original scientific paper

SOMATIC COMORBIDITIES ARE INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE POOR HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS

Igor Filipčić ; Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivona Šimunović Filipčić ; Department of psychological medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Katarina Matić ; Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia
Vanja Lovretić ; Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia
Ena Ivezić ; Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia
Žarko Bajić ; Biometrika Healthcare Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Vladimir Grošić ; Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Slobodanka Kezić ; Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia
Branka Restek Petrović ; Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Aleksandar Včev ; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Clinic for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

Background: Despite the increased risk, the quality of somatic healthcare is lower for patients with mental illnesses. Currently
dominant approach separates physical and mental, primary and secondary healthcare. Objective of our study was to explore whether
somatic comorbidities are associated with a poor HRQoL independently of some sociodemographic and clinical factors. Majority of
studies have explored particular somatic and psychiatric illnesses. Therefore we decided to access the problem from the general
perspective of the universe of somatic and mental illnesses in the large psychiatric institution.
Subjects and methods: This nested cross-sectional study was done during May 2016 at Psychiatric hospital Sveti Ivan, Zagreb,
Croatia on the sample of 506 patients diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses (ICD-10: F00-F99). Key outcome was the lowest 25%
results on the SF-36 General health sub-scale, indicating the worst HRQoL. Predictors were all detected somatic illnesses. By
multivariate logistic regression we controlled different sociodemographic, vital and clinical factors.
Results: After adjustment for different sociodemographic and clinical factors, three somatic comorbidities remained
independently associated with the worst HRQoL: endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90), diseases of respiratory
system (J00-J99) and diseases of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
Conclusions: Somatic comorbidities in psychiatric patients are associated with the poor HRQoL independently of different
sociodemographic, vital and clinical factors and they should be treated seriously and integrally with mental aspects of HRQoL.
Early comorbidities detection and adequate pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment, as well as the prevention of risk
factors, may improve the quality of life and reduce morbidity and mortality of psychiatric patients.

Keywords

mental disorders; somatic comorbidity; psychiatric comorbidity; quality of life

Hrčak ID:

176268

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/176268

Publication date:

15.9.2016.

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