Facial aging in patients with schizophrenia

Background: schizophrenia has long been associated with accelerated physical aging, along with increased and premature medical comorbidities and mortality. Several anatomical and functional abnormalities have a higher prevalence among people with schizophrenia. Aim: to assess facial aging of patients with schizophrenia compared to an age-matched control group, without schizophrenia. Methods: wrinkle depth using Lemperle’s classification and a subjective age estimation were independently evaluated by two investigators and the two groups were compared. Data regarding BMI, sun exposure habits, the use of sunscreens, and current medications were recorded. Results: seventy-four participants were enrolled, including 37 patients in each group. Age, sex, BMI and smoking status did not differ significantly between the groups. Patients with schizophrenia took significantly more medications, had more sun exposure and used less sunscreen than the controls did. They had significantly deeper periorbital, nasolabial, chin, and cheek wrinkles and their ages were estimated to be older than the controls’. Conclusions: patients with schizophrenia had increased facial aging, evidenced by deeper facial wrinkles and were estimated to be significantly older than the controls. Probable causes include an unhealthy lifestyle, an increased facial muscle tone due to the chronic use of antipsychotic drugs and a genetic diathesis related to the aging process.