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Long-term mortality after first psychiatric admission

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Prakash C. Naik ,
Steffan Davies ,
Ann M. Buckley  and
Alan S. Lee
Prakash C. Naik*
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham, Solihull
Steffan Davies
Affiliation:
Towers Hospital, Leicester
Ann M. Buckley
Affiliation:
Leicester General Hospital, Leicester
Alan S. Lee
Affiliation:
University Hospital, Nottingham
*
Dr Prakash C. Naik, Lyndon Resource Centre, Hobs Meadow, Solihull, West Midlands B92 8PW
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Abstract

Background

Little is known about the long-term mortality and causes of death after first psychiatric admission.

Method

A consecutive series of 87 patients admitted for the first time from a strictly defined catchment area to Saxondale Hospital, Nottinghamshire, who were discharged in 1974 and 1975, were traced in 1992 to either their general practitioner or death. The causes of their deaths were ascertained and the observed mortality was compared with expected mortality.

Results

Twelve subjects had died. None had committed suicide, and there were no open verdicts or accidental deaths. Although the observed mortality was higher than expected, there was no significant excess.

Conclusions

There may be little scope for reducing suicide rates by targeting patients for careful follow-up after discharge from their first psychiatric admission. More research is required before large investments are made in potentially fruitless interventions to achieve the objectives of The Health of the Nation.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 1 , January 1997 , pp. 43 - 46
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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