Mortality in Schizophrenia – the Iowa Record-Linkage Study: a Comparison With General Population Mortality

Mortality data from 0-10 year follow-up of 688 schizophrenic patients were obtained through a record-linkage process & compared with that of the general population of Iowa. Risk of mortality was most pronounced during the first 2 years following hospital discharge. Mortality from suicide was significantly excessive for both male & female schizophrenics. Distribution of method of suicide did not differ significantly from that in suicides by nonschizophrenic patients. (21 refs.)