Hospital and Community Factors in Screening for Metabolic Disorders in Psychiatric Patients

What is it about?

Screening for metabolic disorders, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, is particularly important in psychiatric patients who are on a category of medication called antipsychotics. In this study, we have used data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the US Diabetes Surveillance System to assess for hospital and community variables that may be associated with screening rates for metabolic disorders in hospitalized psychiatric patients on antipsychotics.

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Photo by Diabetesmagazijn.nl on Unsplash

Photo by Diabetesmagazijn.nl on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Psychiatric hospitalizations provide a safe setting to adjust and change psychiatric medications such as antipsychotics. They also offer an opportunity for a medical check and assessment of medication side effects such as metabolic disorders. We found that there is room for improvement in the rates of screening for metabolic disorders in patients on antipsychotics, particularly in freestanding psychiatric hospitals. Improving rates of screening can decrease metabolic comorbidities and improve care.