Author(s): FREDRIKSEN EKTVEDT, T., BROBAKKEN, M.F., GÜZEY, C.I., WANG, E., LARA-CABRERA, M.L., NYGÅRD, M., Institution: NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Country: NORWAY, Abstract-ID: 1610

INTRODUCTION:
Adults with severe mental disorders (SMD), including bipolar disorder (BD), depressive disorder (DD) and schizophrenia (SCHIZ), are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature mortality. Although physical inactivity is considered a key contributing factor, levels of physical activity (PA) and conventional CVD risk markers in SMD populations do not consistently differ from those observed in healthy controls (HC). Aerobic capacity, typically measured as peak oxygen uptake (V ̇O2peak), is a powerful and modifiable predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality, and may represent a more appropriate indicator of cardiovascular health in people with SMD. Few studies have investigated V ̇O2peak, objective PA monitoring, and conventional risk factors in patients with SMD.

Aim: To describe CVD risk factors, incorporating treadmill-assessed V ̇O2peak, in patients with SMD and compare them with HC.
METHODS:
Sixty-six patients with SMD were included and compared with twenty-six HC. All underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine treadmill-based V ̇O2peak. Body mass index (BMI, kg∙m2), blood pressure, plasma lipids and PA (triaxial accelerometry) were measured.
RESULTS:
No significant differences were observed between patients and HC in age, body mass, BMI or blood pressure. V ̇O2peak (ml∙kg-1∙min-1) was significantly lower in patients compared with HC (32.6 ± 6.5 vs 42.1 ± 6.7), representing a 22% reduction (mean difference –9.45 ml∙kg-1∙min-1, p < .001). Eighteen participants reported current smoking, all within the patient group; smoking status was not associated with V ̇O2peak. Plasma lipid concentrations were within reference limits for both groups. No associations were observed between PA and V ̇O2peak in patients. Vigorous PA was moderately associated with V ̇O2peak in HC (r = .440, p = .046).
CONCLUSION:
Directly measured V ̇O2peak is substantially reduced in patients with SMD compared with HC. Notably, plasma lipid profiles were not different between SMD and HC, and objectively measured PA appeared unrelated to V ̇O2peak in patients. Our results highlight the limitations of relying on PA and blood lipid measures alone for CVD risk assessment in these populations. Incorporating direct V ̇O2peak assessment may provide a more accurate evaluation of CVD risk in SMD.