A joint study by Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge has highlighted a significant correlation between mental disorders and an increased prevalence of physical health problems, underscoring the importance of integrating mental and physical health services.
Psychiatric Patients More Prone to Physical Health Issues, Study Reveals.
The study, a collaborative effort between Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of Cambridge’s Biomedical Research Centre, brought to light the health challenges faced by psychiatric patients. It analyzed data from 19 studies, covering 194,123 psychiatric patients worldwide, and compared them to a control group of 7,660,590 individuals.
Insights on Multiple Health Conditions
The term multimorbidity refers to an individual experiencing a combination of chronic diseases along with at least one other physical health condition. This research discovered that psychiatric patients are 1.84 times more likely to experience multimorbidity compared to those in the control group.
The research also indicated that individuals with severe mental health conditions frequently suffer from physical ailments such as metabolic diseases, hypertension, epilepsy, respiratory, vascular, kidney, and gastrointestinal diseases, and even cancer.
Worldwide Mental Health Issues
As per 2019 data, nearly one billion individuals globally suffer from a mental disorder, which is a major cause of disability. In England, for example, one in four individuals will face a mental health issue annually, as per the organization Mind.
Past studies have shown that a significant number of people needing mental health care lack access to effective, affordable, and quality mental health services, particularly in lower-income countries. Around 71% of people with psychosis globally do not receive the mental health care they need, with a noticeable gap between high- and low-income countries.
Perspectives from the Experts
Lead researcher Lee Smith, a Professor of Public Health at Anglia Ruskin University, commented: “Mental health is fundamental to our ability to make decisions, build relationships, and influence our environment. Our study clearly shows that people with severe mental illnesses are much more susceptible to suffering from multiple physical health issues.
“This intricate link between severe mental illnesses and physical multimorbidity has wide-ranging consequences, including lower adherence to treatment, increased risk of treatment failure, higher treatment costs, recurring illnesses, worsened prognosis, and a reduced lifespan.
“The inadequate management of physical illnesses in people with mental disorders further compounds the problem, leading to greater strain on individuals, their communities, and healthcare systems. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive approach to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of those affected by severe mental illness and physical multimorbidity.”
Reference: “Relationship between severe mental illness and physical multimorbidity: a meta-analysis and call for action” by Damiano Pizzol, Mike Trott, Laurie Butler, Yvonne Barnett, Tamsin Ford, Sharon AS Neufeld, Anya Ragnhildstveit, Christopher N Parris, Benjamin R Underwood, Guillermo Felipe López Sánchez, Matt Fossey, Carol Brayne, Emilio Fernandez-Egea, Guillaume Fond, Laurent Boyer, Jae Il Shin, Shahina Pardhan and Lee Smith, 1 October 2023, BMJ Ment Health.
DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300870
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mental-Physical Health Link
What is the main finding of the study conducted by Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge?
The study found that psychiatric patients are significantly more likely to suffer from multiple physical health conditions, highlighting the need for integrated care that encompasses both mental and physical health.
How much more likely are psychiatric patients to experience physical health issues compared to the control group?
Psychiatric patients are 1.84 times more likely to report having multiple physical health conditions, known as multimorbidity, compared to the control group.
What physical conditions are commonly reported by people with severe mental health issues?
People with severe mental health issues frequently report physical conditions such as metabolic diseases, hypertension, epilepsy, respiratory, vascular, kidney, and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as cancer.
What percentage of the global population is living with a mental disorder as of 2019?
As of 2019, nearly one billion people, or about one in seven globally, were living with a mental disorder.
What is the gap in mental health services globally?
A significant gap exists in the provision of mental health services, especially in low-income countries. About 71% of individuals with psychosis worldwide do not receive the necessary mental health services.
What are the broader implications of the relationship between severe mental illness and physical multimorbidity?
This relationship leads to decreased treatment compliance, increased risk of treatment failure, higher treatment costs, recurring diseases, worsened prognosis, and reduced life expectancy. It also highlights the need for a holistic approach in treating individuals with severe mental illness and physical multimorbidity.
More about Mental-Physical Health Link
- [Anglia Ruskin University Research]
- [University of Cambridge Study Findings]
- [Mental and Physical Health Integration]
- [Global Mental Health Statistics]
- [Healthcare Disparities in Mental Health]
- [Multimorbidity and Mental Disorders]
