[Higher mortality and somatic illness in a psychotic diseases]

Patients with schizophrenia have a higher mortality than the general population. The risk of obesity, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease is twice as high as in people without psychotic disorders. There are differences in emergency care as well as in secondary prevention in cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. The reason for the increased morbidity and mortality is most likely both inadequate diagnostic procedures and inadequate treatment interventions. Pharmacologic antipsychotic treatment can have negative metabolic side effects. Guidelines for identifying metabolic effects are described. Psychiatrists are advised to collaborate with specialists in internal medicine, paediatrics or general practice.