Medical Issues in Older Adults with Schizophrenia

Copeli, Frank; Cohen, Carl I.

doi:10.1017/9781108539593.008

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…A 2019 review reported that compared with age-matched peers, older adults with schizophrenia had increased mortality due to respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but no difference in mortality due to diabetes, and considerable variability with respect to cancer [17]. The high incidence of sudden cardiac death is mainly due to ischemic heart disease, likely impacted by antipsychotic drugs, lifestyle, autonomic nervous system disturbances and genetic factors [18].…”

Section: Morbidity and Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ageing with schizophrenia: an update

Solomon

Sinopoli

DeLisi

2021

Current Opinion in Psychiatry

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Purpose of reviewThe aim of this review was to summarize the recent literature on the clinical symptoms, functioning, outcomes and treatments for older adults with chronic schizophrenia. Recent findingsThe number and proportion of older adults with schizophrenia is rapidly increasing. Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder and older adults with schizophrenia display significant variability in symptom severity, quality of life and overall outcomes. Many achieve stable disease remission, some display persistent nonremission and others experience fluctuating symptoms. Depression is commonly reported, and although rates of suicide are higher when compared with age-matched peers, the excess mortality seen in this population is mainly attributed to natural causes of death. Cognitive decline and reduced illness awareness have important implications for functional status and quality of life. Antipsychotics remain essential in the treatment regimen, although elderly patients with chronic disease may be good candidates for gradual dose reduction. Interdisciplinary treatment approaches as well as nonpharmacologic psychosocial interventions play a critical adjunctive role in the treatment of older adults with schizophrenia. SummaryResearch focusing on schizophrenia in late life is sparse. Too often, older patients are eliminated from research studies or averaged in with all age groups. Thus, there continues to be gaps in our understanding of modifiable predictors of remission and recovery, and the most efficacious and safest treatment approaches for this age group.

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Section: Morbidity and Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%