from the February 7, 2011 issue of Connect

WCRI study finds that diabetes patients with schizophrenia are more likely to develop complications from their illness.

Dr. Taryn Becker

A recent study led by Dr. Taryn Becker, scientist at Women’s College Research Institute, showed that Ontario diabetes patients are at a greater risk of developing acute complications if they also suffer from schizophrenia.

Among Ontario residents recently diagnosed with diabetes, for example, the study found that those previously diagnosed with schizophrenia were much more likely to visit the hospital for hypo- or hyperglycemia. And alarmingly, patients with schizophrenia had a nearly two-fold rate of death.

“The relationship between diabetes and schizophrenia is complex,” says Dr. Becker.
“Health-care providers may feel ill-equipped when it comes to addressing both mental and physical health in a single patient visit.”

The study was the first to evaluate acute complications in people with both diabetes and schizophrenia within a provincially-funded medical system. It was published in the February issue of Diabetes Care, a journal produced by the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Becker was supported in her research by a Canadian Institute of Health Research Fellowship Award.

“Ultimately, this study is a first step in improving care for all segments of the population,” adds Dr. Becker. “We know a gap in care exists – now more research is needed to better determine why.”