Schizophrenia Mortality Rate 14% Over 20 Years, Compared To 4% In General Population

People diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders had a higher mortality rate over 20 years than the general population at 14.2% compared to 4.4%. In a longitudinal study of 578 people who were assessed over 20 years after their first diagnosis of schizophrenia, 82 died. The most common cause of death was suicide at 27%. About 8.3% of deaths were due to cardiovascular disease or cancer.

Baseline mortality rates were lower at the start of the study, compared to a comparison population without schizophrenia. Those who were employed had a 53% lower rate of mortality, those with psychotic . . .