Objective: Persons with severe mental illness have a higher mortality rate than the general population which cannot be accounted for by suicide. Methods: This study describes the co-morbid medical conditions in a randomly selected sample of 200 outpatients (mean age=44 ± 9 years), equally divided among schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depression with half of each drawn from suburban and urban psychiatric clinics. Study participants completed an interview about their medical conditions with items drawn from the NHANES and NHIS national surveys. Results: Approximately three-quarters (153/200) reported having one or more lifetime medical conditions, almost two-thirds (127/200) reported currently having a medical condition, and over half (107/200) were currently receiving treatment. Among the entire sample, the reported rates of ever receiving the following diagnosis were: high blood pressure, 31.5%; chronic bronchitis, 19.6%; asthma, 18.5%; diabetes, 14%, and liver condition, 8.5%. For 6 of 29 medical conditions, patients with major depression reported significantly higher rates than did persons with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The rates of illness in this population will be compared to published norms of age- and gender- and SES-matched persons in the general population. Conclusion: These findings point to the high rate of co-morbid medical conditions in persons with severe mental illnesses. Attention to these conditions is critical in order to increase patients' longevity and improve their quality of life.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant should be able to 1) identify common co-morbid medical conditions in outpatients with severe mental illnesses 2) recognize the increased mortality risk in persons with severe mental illnesses.
Keywords: Mental Illness, Medical Mental Illness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.