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Using genetics to explore the connection between metabolic and mental health
Safe People
University of Exeter
3
Jessica Tyrrell
Safe Projects
OFHS240116
The goal of our study is to better understand why individuals with severe mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder) have a higher burden of physical health inequalities. Individuals with severe mental illness are more likely to have metabolic health problems including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Metabolic health refers to the proper functioning of metabolic systems, with key indicators such as healthy blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure and body fat. Poor metabolic health can increase the risk of various diseases and impact overall wellbeing. In individuals with SMI the increased risk of metabolic health problems has a huge impact on their lives and may partially explain why they have an increased risk of dying. This has a huge impact on their lives and may partially explain why they have an increased risk of dying. However we really don't understand the relationship between severe mental illness and metabolic health. Here, we'll use genetic data and health records in Our Future Health to: a) determine if there's a cause-and-effect relationship between metabolic and mental health, b) test if modifiable risks (e.g. physical activity, smoking) might affect the connection between metabolic and mental health outcomes, and c) understand how having both metabolic and mental health problems can affect a person's overall health. Both severe mental illnesses and metabolic health problems represent huge global health concerns. Generally, research focuses on either severe mental illness or metabolic health problems. Metabolic health refers to the optimal functioning of bodily processes that regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight. Poor metabolic health can lead to chronic conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which negatively impact overall health. Many people actually live with a severe mental illness and a metabolic health problem. This can cause problems, for example, previous research has shown that when someone has both type 2 diabetes and depression, they tend to experience worse outcomes. For example, higher chances of dying, heart problems, and developing depression that doesn't respond well to treatment. It is therefore really important to consider them together. But there's still a lot we don't understand about how metabolic and mental health problems are connected. We have many questions that need answers, such as: a) Does having a metabolic health problem like diabetes actually cause the severe mental illness, or is it the other way around? Or does it go both ways? b) How do things like how active a person is, and their social and economic status affect the relationship between metabolic health problems and severe mental illness? c) What happens to someone's health when they have both metabolic health problems and severe mental illness at the same time?
More and more people are living with metabolic health problems and severe mental illness. At the moment, we don't fully know what happens to your health when you have both of these conditions at the same time. But what we do know is that generally having both leads to overall poorer health. It's a key area of research for patients with severe mental illness as they want to understand why they have physical health inequalities. For example, someone with depression and type 2 diabetes is more likely to experience complications including leg ulcers and eye problems (retinopathy) than someone with type 2 diabetes alone. This is why it's really important for us to understand how these conditions interact and the causal pathways between them. Our research aims to provide strong evidence about what could happen when more and more people have both metabolic and mental health problems. The information we gather could help shape the rules and plans that guide public health. Ultimately leading to better ways to treat people who have severe mental illness and metabolic health problems. For example, our research could suggest that doctors will need specific plans that are made just for people with both type 2 diabetes and depression, so they can get the best care possible.
Public Health Research
07/12/2024
02/09/2024
Safe Data
Our Future Health Baseline Health Questionnaire Data
Our Future Health Genotype Array Data
Safe Setting
TRE