Body mass index and quality of life in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia

Objective: To examine the associations between sociodemographic variables, body weight and quality of life in schizophrenic outpatients. Methods: Assessments included an inter-view to obtain sociodemographic data, administration of a Quality of Life questionnaire (the MOS SF-36) and measurement of height and weight. Body mass index was calculated (kg/m(2) 2). SF-36 subscores were examined for statistical differences based on BMI categories: healthy weight (BMI less than or equal to 24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30). Correlations with sociodemographic variables were also examined. Results: Body weight was inversely correlated (level p less than or equal to 0.005) to the SF-36 items: physical functioning (PF, -0.452), role limitations due to physical functioning (-0.279), role limitations due to emotional functioning (-0.256), vitality (-0.200), general health (GH -0.367) and physical component score (PCS, -0.400). Mental component score (MCS) was not significantly correlated to body weight. When comparing quality of life across BMI categories, obese subjects had worse physical functioning (p less than or equal to 0.0005) and general health (p less than or equal to 0.005), reported more role limitations due to emotional functioning (p less than or equal to 0.05) and a lower physical component score (p less than or equal to 0.005). Mental component score was not significantly influenced by BML Conclusions: Quality of life in schizophrenic patients is related to body weight. The burden of obesity is primarily experienced as a physical problem. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.