Schizophrenia, cardiometabolic and other medical comorbidity

Our work aims to determine the magnitude and range of cardiometabolic health problems in people with schizophrenia and related enduring psychotic illnesses. It will also identify – at the earliest possible stage – those high-risk patients for whom intensive interventions are more likely to be of value in forestalling premature morbidity and mortality.

Schizophrenia is an incurable, relapsing and extraordinarily disabling mental health disorder. It has been described as “arguably the worst disease affecting mankind” in the scientific journal Nature. The enormous burden of associated physical comorbidities that contribute to markedly premature mortality goes largely unrecognised.

Our node will create a model for multimorbidity/chronicity that will provide opportunities to improve healthcare utilisation and physical health outcomes for all people with schizophrenia.

This new approach will provide important, unique information that is pivotal for optimal planning of integrated healthcare.

• Professor Fiona Blyth
• Associate Professor Roger Chen
• Professor Mark Cooper
• Professor Ron Grunstein
• Professor David Handelsman
• Professor David Le Couteur
• Professor Len Kritharides
• Professor Tim Lambert (Project Node Leader)
• Professor Andrew McLachlan