Researchers have found that patients with schizophrenia are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The early stage of the mental disorder is often accompanied by an increased amount of blood sugar level.
A study published in JAMA revealed the schizophrenia patients are prone to developing type 2 diabetes compared to the general population. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce insulin - a hormone that is responsible for converting sugar into fuel.
The lead researcher of the study, Oliver Howes, together with Toby Pillinger, the first author of the research, summarized their findings on why the blood sugar level rises to schizophrenia patients. The study included 1,345 participants, of which, 713 were patients and 614 controlled. The researchers reviewed the relationship between the blood sugar level and the mental state of the patients.
The finding reveals that patients diagnosed in the early stage of schizophrenia have a problem with the regulation of blood sugar level. Additionally, the blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and insulin resistance are all elevated.
However, it is still unclear what causes the blood sugar levels of schizophrenia patients to increase. Researchers assume that these factors include medication, patient's diet, and lifestyle. As of now, health care professionals and caretakers of patients with schizophrenia are advised monitor their patients, particularly their diet. The medication used by the patients should also decrease the risk of diabetes.
The researchers are still conducting further studies to pinpoint what is the correlation between schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. Aside from schizophrenia, diabetes is also linked to other mental disorders.