Key result
Schizophrenia is linked to ~50% higher risk of incident heart failure.
Why the study?
The specific risk of incident heart failure in individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder had not been comprehensively quantified.
Does schizophrenia or bipolar disorder increase the risk of incident heart failure in adults?
Meta-Analysis
Does schizophrenia or bipolar disorder increase the risk of incident heart failure in adults?
Relative Risk: 1.5 (95% CI 1.35–1.67)
Severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are independent risk factors for incident heart failure, reinforcing the need for proactive cardiometabolic screening and multidisciplinary management in psychiatric care.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were associated with higher incident HF risk; supports enhanced monitoring in psychiatric care but leaves causal and interventional implications open.
Background and Objective: Individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder experience excess cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality; however, the specific risk of incident heart failure has not been comprehensively quantified. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of heart failure in these populations. Methodology: A search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception through February 10, 2026, with no language restrictions, for cohort studies that reported adjusted estimates of the risk of incident heart failure in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to obtain risk ratio (RR). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Results: Seven retrospective cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. Schizophrenia was associated with a significantly increased risk of incident heart failure (RR: 1.50, 95% CI 1.35–1.67; I² = 74.9%). Bipolar disorder was associated with an even greater risk (RR: 1.95, 95% CI 1.31–2.91; I² = 80.1%). The direction of association was consistent across studies, and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of pooled estimates. Conclusions: Both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are independently associated with substantially elevated risks of incident heart failure. High heterogeneity in the meta-analysis warrants caution in interpreting the results.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dong et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder. Schizophrenia vs. Individuals without schizophrenia was evaluated on Incident heart failure (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.35-1.67). Schizophrenia was independently associated with a 50% increased risk of incident heart failure (RR 1.50), while bipolar disorder was associated with nearly double the risk (RR 1.95) compared to individuals without these conditions.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: