The epidemiology of excess mortality in people with mental illness

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Can J Psychiatry. 2010

Dec;55(12):752-60.

The epidemiology of excess

mortality in people with mental illness.

Lawrence

D, Kisely

S, Pais

J.

Centre for Developmental

Health, Curtin University of Technology and Telethon

Institute for Child Health Research, Perth, Australia. D.ce@...

Comment in:

Can

J Psychiatry. 2010 Dec;55(12):749-51.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the burden of excess

mortality among people with mental illness in

developed countries, how it is distributed, and

whether it has changed over time.

METHOD: we conducted a systematic search of

MEDLINE, restricting our attention to peer-reviewed

studies and reviews published in English relating to

mortality and mental illness. Because of the large

number of studies that have been undertaken during

the last 30 years, we have selected a representative

cross-section of studies for inclusion in our

review.

RESULTS: there is substantial excess mortality

in people with mental illness for almost all

psychiatric disorders and all main causes of death.

Consistently elevated rates have been observed

across settings and over time. The highest numbers

of excess deaths are due to cardiovascular and

respiratory diseases. With life expectancy

increasing in the general population, the disparity

in mortality outcomes for people with mental illness

is increasing.

CONCLUSIONS: without the development of alternative

approaches to promoting and treating the physical

health of people with mental illness, it is possible

that the disparity in mortality outcomes will

persist.