Metabolic Disorders
Introduction
Metabolic disorders have recently become a cause for national concern. The findings of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in the period between 1999 and 2010 suggest that around 20 percent of the adult U.S. population remains at high cardiometabolic risk (Beltran-Sanchez et al., 2013). There is also seen an increased prevalence of hyperglycemia – from 12.9 percent in the years 1999-2000 to 19.9 percent in 2010 (Beltran-Sanchez et al., 2013). Toalson et al (2004) note that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is seen in 24 percent of U.S. adults. Findings suggest that rates of metabolic disorders are unevenly distributed across the population. The highest prevalence of MetS is seen in individuals who are diagnosed with severe mental disorder.
According to Nauert (2009), individuals suffering from schizophrenia or other severe mental illness are twice as likely to suffer from MetS when compared to the general population. De Hert (2011) suggests that physical disorders eventually lead to the shorter lifespan of individuals with severe mental illness when compared to the general population. Toalson et al (2004) note that “The connection between severe mental illness and the metabolic syndrome is emerging as a public health question of importance to both mental health and primary care practitioners” (p. 153). It is thus premature to identify the main reasons for this relationship. Experts though propose several valid hypotheses regarding this issue.Toalson et al (2004) view MetS as a side effect of taking antipsychotic drugs for a long period of time. The prolonged use of antipsychotic drugs is associated with alternations in glucose and lipid metabolism. Toalson et al (2004) further note that new antipsychotic drugs that have been used in medical practice relatively recently exhibit a greater incidence of adverse metabolic effects when compared to drugs that were prescribed years before.According to De Hert et al (2011), there is a relationship between individual lifestyle choices and MetS. They further suggest that individuals with severe mental disorder are more prone to bad habits, for example smoking, which further increases prevalence of MetS in this subpopulation.
Druss et al (2011) emphasize a relationship between an individual’s socioeconomic status and susceptibility to MetS. Individuals with severe mental disorder often come from low-income population groups, and it deprives them of many health opportunities. Consequently, there is a higher prevalence of MetS and shorter lifespan in this group when compared to the general population. It is also important to not ignore the fact that severe mental illness is often stigmatized in contemporary society (De Hert et al., 2011). Health care providers may find it unnecessary to instruct an individual with severe mental disorder on the healthy lifestyle and preventing MetS.
Evidently, the presented evidence is not exhaustive. The present study seeks to extend it through conducting secondary analysis and approaching the treatment of individuals with severe mental disorder in Balboa Hospital. Through collecting an extensive qualitative data, the present study aims to demonstrate the relationship …
