Mortality in a psychiatric population: a Nigerian psychiatric hospital experience

Out of a total of 10,661 patients admitted over a 10-year period in a Nigerian psychiatric hospital, 138 deaths were recorded. A decreasing trend in the mortality figures was demonstrated despite a marked increase in the number of admissions. There were more male deaths (60%) than female deaths (40%). The majority of the patients who died (64%) were under the age of 40 years. Infection was the single most important cause of death. There was one case of suicide and one other death resulted from ECT. Sudden unexplained deaths occurred in 19% of the cases. Possible ways of further reducing the mortality figures are suggested.