Data analysis of mortality patterns in psychiatry: A retrospective study of sociodemographic and service-related risk...

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) experience markedly reduced life expectancy, yet evidence on the sociodemographic and service-related factors contributing to premature mortality within psychiatric populations remains limited, particularly in Israel. Here we analyzed electronic health records from 4253 patients who underwent a total of 19,902 hospitalizations at Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center in 2020-2024. Among these patients, 346 were confirmed deceased. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were extracted, including sex, marital status, parenthood, immigration characteristics, and hospitalization history. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and inferential statistics. The mean age at death was 59.97 ± 18.29 years, significantly lower than national life expectancy for both men and women (p < 0.001). Male patients died younger than females (58.2 vs 63.1 years), reflecting an average life-expectancy reduction of 22.5 years in men and 21.5 years in women. Earlier mortality was associated with male gender, single marital status, absence of children, and a higher number of hospitalizations (Spearman R = -0.223, p < 0.001). Life expectancy varied significantly by region, with younger deaths observed among patients born in Israel, Ethiopia, and American countries. In conclusion, psychiatric patients in Israel die approximately two decades earlier than the general population. Social and service-related characteristics, particularly male sex, social isolation, and repeated hospitalizations emerge as key predictors of premature death. These findings underscore the need for targeted, socially informed interventions to mitigate excess mortality in severe mental illness.