Physical illness and schizophrenia: a review of the literature

• Published in: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2007-11, Vol.116 (5), p.317-333
• Main Authors: Leucht, S., Burkard, T., Henderson, J., Maj, M., Sartorius, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Cause of Death; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; epidemiology; Health Status Indicators; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Incidence; Medical sciences; physical disease; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - mortality
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447; 0065-1591
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01095.x

Objective:  The lifespan of people with schizophrenia is shortened compared to the general population. We reviewed the literature on comorbid physical diseases in schizophrenia to provide a basis for initiatives to fight this unacceptable situation. Method:  We searched MEDLINE (1966 – May 2006) combining the MeSH term of schizophrenia with the 23 MeSH terms of general physical disease categories to identify relevant epidemiological studies. Results:  A total of 44 202 s were screened. People with schizophrenia have higher prevalences of HIV infection and hepatitis, osteoporosis, altered pain sensitivity, sexual dysfunction, obstetric complications, cardiovascular diseases, overweight, diabetes, dental problems, and polydipsia than the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis and cancer may occur less frequently than in the general population. Eighty‐six per cent of the studies came from industrialized countries limiting the generalizability of the findings. Conclusion:  The increased frequency of physical diseases in schizophrenia might be on account of factors related to schizophrenia and its treatment, but undoubtedly also results from the unsatisfactory organization of health services, from the attitudes of medical doctors, and the social stigma ascribed to the schizophrenic patients.