A study investigated premature mortality in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (SSD), particularly during the early stages of the illness. The findings revealed that SSD patients had significantly higher mortality rates compared to the general population, particularly within the first year of diagnosis. Unnatural causes of death were notably more common during this period. The study also identified that discharged inpatient-diagnosed patients faced a higher risk of mortality, both overall and due to unnatural causes, within the first three years of treatment, with the highest risk occurring in the first month after discharge. The research emphasized the urgent need for targeted early interventions in individuals with SSD, focusing on suicide prevention and improving physical health to reduce premature mortality.

Reference: Yung NCL, Wong CSM, Chan JKN, Chang WC. Mortality rates in people with first diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: A 5-year population-based cohort study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2023 Jun;57(6):854-864. doi: 10.1177/00048674221121575. Epub 2022 Sep 4. PMID: 36062474.