Sociodemographic, environmental characteristics and comorbidities of older adults with schizophrenia who access community health service support: A national cross-sectional study

TitleSociodemographic, environmental characteristics and comorbidities of older adults with schizophrenia who access community health service support: A national cross-sectional study
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsLacey C, Manuel J, Schluter PJ, Porter RJ, Pitama S, Jamieson HA
JournalAustralian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Volume53
Issue6
Pagination570-580
ISBN Number0004-8674
Accession Number30754993
KeywordsSchizophrenia,older adults,epidemiology,community needs assessment,national study,population health
Abstract

Objectives:Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental illness known to have broad ranging impacts for individuals across the lifespan, yet research on the disease in older adults is sparse. This study provides a profile of the sociodemographic, environmental and diagnostic characteristics of older community residents with schizophrenia using a national database.Methods:A cross-sectional sample of individuals who underwent community needs assessment using the standardised Home Care International Residential Assessment Instrument between 1 September 2012 and 31 January 2016 was utilised. Sociodemographic, diagnostic, and social and environmental variables were measured for individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and compared to those without a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Statistical investigations employed bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models.Results:A total sample of 71,859 was eligible and 517 (0.7%) had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The majority of the sociodemographic variables were statistically associated with schizophrenia in the adjusted analysis, except for ethnicity (p = 0.35). Nearly all the measured social and environmental variables were adversely associated with having a diagnosis of schizophrenia, such as living in squalid conditions (adjusted odds ratio = 2.16; 95% confidence interval = [1.42, 3.28]). Participants with schizophrenia were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with all assessed psychiatric comorbidities (p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.002), whereas coronary heart disease (p = 0.001) and other physical comorbidities (p = 0.001) were found at significantly lower rates.Conclusion:The profile of schizophrenia found here suggests some subtle differences in the demographic profile and distribution of medical comorbidities in the older population with schizophrenia. The results also suggest that this group continues to experience social disadvantage into old age. This requires the attention of policy-makers to ensure that services are tailored to the high social needs of these individuals.

DOI10.1177/0004867419828480
Link

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0004867419828480