At the annual physical review of someone with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, tally how many body systems carry a chronic diagnosis — cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, renal, musculoskeletal. A rising count in a young patient is a signal to involve primary care or a physician early, before the next system is added. In Indian practice, where the psychiatrist is often the only doctor the patient sees regularly, this tally may be the only place it is noticed.
- Record weight, blood pressure, HbA1c and lipids at every annual review.
- Count how many body systems carry a chronic diagnosis and note the change year on year.
- Refer early when a young patient adds a second system.
Why it matters
Multimorbidity is easier to prevent in the second system than to manage in the fifth.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for psychiatry, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free