Dr. Jentien Vermeulen has been awarded a Dekkerbeurs by the Dutch Heart Foundation (Hartstichting). This personal research grant is awarded to talented scientists to develop their research line into cardio vascular diseases in the upcoming years.
People with severe mental health problems are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. This is even more pronounced in people with psychosis due to premature ageing. People with psychosis have unusual experiences, such as hearing voices or holding certain beliefs that others do not share. This often feels alienating or frightening. Medication for psychosis can further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as it can lead to weight gain or higher blood sugar or cholesterol levels in some people. On average, people with psychosis have a life expectancy that is 15 years shorter than that of the general population.
A risk that is detected too late
Cardiovascular problems often arise later in life. However, risk factors for these diseases are already present for decades in people with psychosis. Think of smoking, lack of exercise, overweight, or high blood sugar and cholesterol. Existing prediction models for cardiovascular disease do not work well in younger people. Those who develop psychosis are often young, so their risk is underestimated and measures to prevent cardiovascular disease come too late.
Who is at extra risk?
“I want to find out which people are especially vulnerable to cardiovascular disease and need more monitoring and treatment,” says Jentien Vermeulen. “To do this, we are studying all kinds of data from people in the Netherlands who use medication for psychosis.” Jentien is also investigating an international calculation tool to estimate the risk of, among other things, weight gain and diabetes in people with psychosis. This tool uses a number of routinely available healthcare data, such as medication, age, and family history.
More healthy years
Jentien will look at how healthcare professionals can use the tool, and how they can better support these patients in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and medication use. Jentien Vermeulen: “Ultimately, I hope this research will lead to more healthy years of life and better care for people who miss out too often.”
Dekker Grant by Dutch Heart Foundation
Read more about the Dekker grant and the other awarded researchers on the website of the Dutch Heart Foundation.
Source: Psychiatry Amsterdam