What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate mortality rates and investigate causes of death among patients admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient units.

March 1, 1995Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Mortality among patients in psychiatric hospitals in Germany

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Authors

WHWalter HewerChristophorus Kliniken WRWulf RösslerUniversidade de São Paulo BFB. FätkenheuerCentral Institute of Mental Health

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Implication

Cohort study finds elevated mortality from natural causes and suicide in acute psychiatric inpatients, highlighting the urgent need to address physical and psychiatric health risks.

Key Points

To evaluate mortality rates and investigate causes of death among patients admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient units.
Analyzed data encompassing 14,195 treatment episodes across 7 psychiatric hospitals with defined catchment areas over a 30-month period.
Calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) stratified by diagnostic category and age group, distinguishing natural deaths from suicides.
Observed 196 total deaths (174 natural causes, 22 suicides) during hospitalization, compared to 32 expected deaths.
Mortality risk was highest in organic mental disorders (SMR 7.55), followed by functional psychoses (SMR 4.55) and other disorders including alcoholism and neurotic conditions (SMR 3.25).
Cardiovascular disorders and pneumonia accounted for roughly half of all deaths, whereas suicide was the primary cause of death in nonorganic syndromes (21 of 58 fatalities).

Cite This Study

Hewer et al. (1995) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1946adff42a97fac580237 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1995.tb09762.x

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Implication

Cohort study finds elevated mortality from natural causes and suicide in acute psychiatric inpatients, highlighting the urgent need to address physical and psychiatric health risks.

Mortality among patients in psychiatric hospitals in Germany

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Mortality among patients in psychiatric hospitals in Germany

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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