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Kimberley Indigenous mental health: An examination of metabolic syndrome risk factors
Author(s) -
Stanley Susanne H.,
Laugharne Jonathan D.E.,
Chapman Murray,
Balaratnasingam Sivasankaran
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/ajr.12270
Subject(s) - indigenous , medicine , mental health , mental illness , metabolic syndrome , population , audit , waist , blood pressure , gerontology , environmental health , psychiatry , demography , diabetes mellitus , body mass index , ecology , management , sociology , economics , biology , endocrinology
Objective There is an increased risk of physical health comorbidities in people with a mental illness. This paper examines the metabolic syndrome parameters for the general population, indigenous A ustralians and people with a mental illness, and compares them to a sample of predominantly indigenous adults with mental health problems. Design A longitudinal (24 month) audit of patient medical records was conducted between F ebruary 2011 and M arch 2013. Setting The Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service in B roome, W estern A ustralia. Participants Largely indigenous adults with a mental illness. Sample numbers increased from 56 at baseline (80% indigenous) to 136 at 18 months (70% indigenous). Main outcome measures Waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting lipids, and fasting blood glucose. Results Preliminary assessment of the data indicates a high percentage of abnormalities at baseline and at the 18 month period on all four parameters, yet not all patients were assessed on a regular basis. Conclusions Abnormalities in metabolic profiles consistent with the non‐Indigenous mental health population were found. There are considerable challenges to implementing regular monitoring of physical and metabolic profiles of indigenous people in rural and remote communities.