Causes of Death in Manic-Depressives (IN: Origin, Prevention and Treatment of Affective Disorders, edited by M Schou and E Stromgren)

This article presents the findings of an investigation into the suggestion that manic depressives have an increased mortality by suicide as well as other causes. The investigation comprised all manic-depressive patients admitted for the first time to Danish psychiatric hospitals from 1 April 1969 to 31 March 1976, followed until 1 January 1977. The mortality by causes of death was compared with the total Danish population. Results showed a significant excess mortality by suicide, which is discussed in detail. As well, they showed an excess mortality by cardiovascular diseases, the reason for which is unexplained. (7 refs)