Mortality in people with schizophrenia in rural China: 10-year cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Long-term mortality and the risk factors for premature death among patients with schizophrenia living in rural communities are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the 10-year mortality and its risk factors among patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
We used data from a 10-year prospective follow-up study (1994-2004) of mortality among people with schizophrenia, and death registration data for Xinjin County, Chengdu, China.


RESULTS
The mortality rate was 2228 per 100,000 person-years during follow-up. Both all-cause mortality and suicide rates were significantly greater in male than in female patients. Age at illness onset (>45 years), duration of illness (> or =10 years), age greater than 50 years, physical illness, in ability to work, male gender, and never having received treatment were identified as independent predictors of increased mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher mortality rates in male patients may contribute to the higher prevalence of schizophrenia in women compared with men in China. The findings of risk factors for mortality should be taken into account when developing interventions to improve outcomes among people with schizophrenia.
Ran
Mao-Sheng
MS
College of Professional Studies, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam 96923, USA. ranmaosh@yahoo.com
Chen
Eric Yu-Hai
EY
Conwell
Yeates
Y
Chan
Cecilia Lai-Wan
CL
Yip
Paul S F
PS
Xiang
Meng-Ze
MZ
Caine
Eric D
ED
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000401:mortality*; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data