Fatalities in 2,070 psychiatric outpatients

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Psychiatric outpatients face elevated mortality risks compared to the general population.
• Previous studies indicate a potential disparity in healthcare access and outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions.
• Understanding the specific causes and contributing factors to premature mortality in this demographic is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mortality rate and causes of death in a cohort of psychiatric outpatients over a three-year period.
• To compare the mortality patterns in psychiatric outpatients with the general population.
• To identify potentially preventable deaths and assess the role of psychiatric and medical care in these outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzing data from 2,070 psychiatric outpatients over three years.
• Categorization of deaths into accidents, suicide, and natural causes for comparison with general population rates.
• Review of medical records to identify inadequately diagnosed physical illnesses and assess the potential for medico-surgical intervention.

Main Results:

• A total of 28 fatalities were recorded, representing a mortality rate twice that of the general population.
• Deaths occurred approximately 20 years earlier than expected for this cohort.
• Accidents, suicide, and natural causes of death were all elevated; over 80% of patients had physical illnesses, with one-third inadequately diagnosed.

Conclusions:

• Psychiatric outpatients exhibit a significantly higher and premature mortality rate due to various causes.
• A substantial proportion of deaths, including suicides and those from physical illnesses, were potentially preventable with improved psychiatric and medical care.
• Emphasizes the critical need for thorough physical evaluations and timely diagnosis of medical conditions in psychiatric patients.