title: [Mortality among a cohort of psychiatric patients hospitalized.].
abstract: In this study, standardized mortality ratios (SMR - observed deaths/expected deaths) were calculated among a cohort of psychiatric patients hospitalized in Livorno (Italy) in the years 1990-2003. Findings show an excess of deaths due to both natural (SMR=2.37) and non natural (SMR=2.37) causes, with a higher rate of excess mortality in younger patients and in the first years after discharge. A slightly decreasing trend in excess deaths was found from 1990-2003. Better and more timely access to healthcare, aimed at improving physical as well as well as mental health, is warranted in this population.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Salute Mentale, ASL 6 di Livorno.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Masi
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maffei
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vivaldi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pini
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miccinesi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D010351:Patient Discharge