The prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors in community-living patients with psychiatric disorders: A study from North India.

OBJECTIVE

Screening for non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors can help in prevention or reduction in the ill-effects of NCDs. Data on NCD risk factors in community-dwelling patients with common mental disorders (CMD) is lacking. This study was designed to screen for selected NCD risk factors in patients attending a community psychiatry service (CPS) in the states of Punjab and Haryana in North India.

METHODS

Following ethical clearance, the study was conducted in 4 satellite clinics of the CPS of a tertiary hospital from North India. Consecutive adult patients were approached and 719 patients were assessed. A one-time cross-sectional assessment was carried out which included socio-demographic data, clinical details, history of tobacco and alcohol use, personal history of hypertension and diabetes, family history of diabetes, prevalence of hypertension, obesity (central and generalised) and levels of physical activity.

RESULTS

302 males and 417 females were assessed. Most patients were diagnosed with CMD. The prevalence of hypertension was 42.7% in males and 34.1% in females. The prevalence of central and generalised obesity in males and females was 41.4%, 71.2% and 34.8%, 45.6% respectively. 32.5% of males and 40.2% females were assessed to be inadequately physically active.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest that there is high prevalence of NCD risk factors in patients with CMD. Hypertension is more common in males while obesity and inadequate physical activity is more common in females. NCD risk factor screening and management, health education should be integrated in CPS.