Excess mortality in severe mental illness: 10-year population-based cohort study in rural Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence on mortality in severe mental illness (SMI) comes primarily from clinical samples in high-income countries.AimsTo describe mortality in people with SMI among a population cohort from a low-income country.MethodWe followed-up 919 adults (from 68 378 screened) with SMI over 10 years. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and years of life lost (YLL) as a result of premature mortality were calculated.ResultsIn total 121 patients (13.2%) died. The overall SMR was twice that of the general population; higher for men and people with schizophrenia. Patients died about three decades prematurely, mainly from infectious causes (49.6%). Suicide, accidents and homicide were also common causes of death.ConclusionsMortality is an important adverse outcome of SMI irrespective of setting. Addressing common natural and unnatural causes of mortality are urgent priorities. Premature death and mortality related to self-harm should be considered in the estimation of the global burden of disease for SMI.