Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Effects of a new lifestyle on metabolic parameters in patients suffering from chronic psychiatric illness, guest |
|---|---|
| Name | Pedretti Jessica |
| Supervisor(s) | Ferri Paola |
| Academic Year | 2014/15 |
| Thesis type | Research thesis |
Abstract
Purpose of study: The increasing incidence of obesity in the western world accounts for the term, “globesity“ coined by
the WHO to indicate a "growing global epidemic of overweight and obesity." The chronic psychiatric illness can be an
important predisposing factor to obesity and metabolic syndrome, which in turn are important risk factors for
cardiovascular disease and premature death.
Materials and method: We implemented a new lifestyle project, composed by the Therapeutic lifestyle changes diet,
moderate physical activity and psycho-educational groups in the patients with chronic psychiatric diseases, who live in
a social rehabilitative facility of Modena. At the beginning of our study (T0) we evaluated both psychiatric conditions,
administering some symptom and rating scales (BPRS, VADO, GAF) and physical parameters (vital signs,
anthropometric measures and blood tests). After 6 months (T6), we analysed changes in both physical parameters and
evaluation scales. Moreover at T6, we administered a satisfaction scale, EQ-5D.
Results: Our sample consists of 19 overweight patients affected by psychiatric chronic diseases with severe disability
associated with many organic chronic disorders, especially metabolic syndrome. At the end of the period of 6 months,
the patients showed a good adhesion to the project, with high levels of satisfaction evaluated by EQ-5D and a
statistically significantly reduction of weight (p <0.001) and BMI (p <0.0005). Also their hyperhomocysteinemia returned
to normal range. Other cardiovascular and metabolic parameters remained unchanged as well as their psychiatric
conditions.
Conclusions: This study showed that the implementation of a new lifestyle project in a social rehabilitative community
was enthusiastically accepted by the majority of patients and permitted the improvement of some important
cardiovascular risk factors, as weight and BMI, despite the chronic and severe disability of our patients.