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Schizophrenia: a life-shortening disease
1Dept. of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Schizophrenia Bulletin
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Patients with schizophrenia face double the general mortality rate, with suicide being a major factor. Reducing mortality, especially from suicide, should be a key treatment goal for schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with significantly higher mortality rates compared to the general population.
- Excess mortality in schizophrenia is linked to suicide, violent death, and cardiovascular disorders.
- The relationship between schizophrenia and cancer mortality remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing studies on mortality in schizophrenia.
- To present findings from a 10-year follow-up study of schizophrenia patients in Stockholm.
- To emphasize the need for reduced mortality and suicide rates in schizophrenia treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of multiple studies on schizophrenia mortality.
- A 10-year follow-up of 1,190 schizophrenia patients from the Stockholm County inpatient register.
- Utilized inpatient registers, medical records, and cause-of-death registers for analysis.
Main Results:
- Overall mortality in schizophrenia patients was more than double that of the general population.
- Mortality due to suicide was over 10 times higher in schizophrenia patients.
- Identified excess mortality in cardiovascular disorders, with cancer mortality being controversial.
Conclusions:
- Reduced mortality, particularly suicide, is a critical objective for schizophrenia care.
- Computerized patient databases linked to death registers are crucial for ongoing monitoring.
- Further research into risk factors for suicide in schizophrenia is warranted.