Higher mortality and years of potential life lost of suicide in patients with schizophrenia

Patients with schizophrenia could have a higher risk of mortality. We compared the risk of mortality and the years of potential life lost (YPLL) associated with various causes of death between patients with schizophrenia and the general population. A total of 4,298 patients with schizophrenia were included. The cohort was linked to the Taiwan Death Register between 1998 and 2010 using personal identification numbers, which showed 367 patients with schizophrenia had died by the end of 2010. The standard mortality ratios (SMRs) and YPLL were analyzed by age, sex and cause of death. The overall SMR was significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia. Suicide had the most significantly greater SMR, and the SMRs for physical illnesses, accidents and injuries were all significantly greater in patients with schizophrenia. Suicide had the largest YPLL/deaths among all causes of mortality in patients with schizophrenia. Suicide had the most significantly greater risk of mortality among patients with schizophrenia as compared with the general population. Patients with schizophrenia are highly vulnerable in terms of increased mortality and require special attention.