[Mortality among long-term psychiatric patients in Denmark 1972-1988]

By use of the computerized, nationwide psychiatric case register in Denmark, three cohorts of psychiatric patients hospitalized for at least one year during either 1972, 1977 or 1982, were identified and followed until April 1, 1988, regarding time of death. A decline in overall excess mortality compared with the general population was seen from the 1972-cohort to the 1982-cohort irrespective of sex, age group and diagnosis. This may be due to real improved survival, but could also reflect different mechanisms of selection. To analyse cause of death, 298 long-stay patients at Psychiatric hospital in Arhus were followed for 5.5 years. Lung disease caused the highest excess mortality. The authors emphasize that risk of death in long-stay patients below 50 years of age is still fourfold compared to the general population and point to the necessity of improving medical care.