Academic perspective

Metabolic Comorbidity in Severe Mental Illness: Cardiovascular Risk and Beyond

Severe mental illness is associated with substantially elevated rates of metabolic comorbidity, including obesity, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. While the resulting excess cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality are well established, the consequences of metabolic dysfunction extend further, contributing to reduced quality of life, poorer treatment adherence, and a cycle that undermines both physical and psychiatric outcomes.

The talk will offer a concise, high-level overview of current clinical guidelines for monitoring and managing metabolic risk in this population, including baseline and ongoing metabolic screening recommendations. Pharmacological strategies for addressing antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic dysfunction will also be briefly summarized. Rather than providing exhaustive detail on any single area, this talk aims to give attendees a working framework for understanding why metabolic comorbidity in severe mental illness warrants attention beyond cardiovascular risk alone, and where to look for more detailed guidance on clinical management.