Diabetes Management Interventions in Patients with Schizophrenia: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Among those with schizophrenia, a higher incidence of diabetes occurs in comparison to the population at large. This higher prevalence is multi-factorial with can be due to life-style factors, psycho-social factors, as well as the increased risk for metabolic syndrome in those taking atypical anti-psychotics. This makes managing diabetes among those with schizophrenia increasingly difficult.

Objective: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to explore health interventions in patients with both schizophrenia and diabetes or at risk as well as to evaluate their effectiveness in diabetes management or metabolic syndrome management.

Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Proquest. The key terms diabetes, schizophrenia, metabolic syndrome, and intervention were used. Studies included were in English, from the past ten years, and were examined for their relevancy to the key words used. Studies not containing interventions related to decreasing diabetes or metabolic syndrome risk factors were removed.

Results: After examining the literature, eighteen unique interventions were found. The types of interventions found included dietetic, mix- modules, exercise only, cognitive behavioral therapy as well on intervention with a peer- focus technological approached.

Conclusion: The finding showed a mixed result in the success rate of the type of intervention. All studies had large attrition rates in those who completed the intervention. Future studies should aim at researching what makes participants not complete a study and if there is a difference between those with mental health and those without.

Key Words: Schizophrenia, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Intervention