Mortality among psychiatric patients treated in a community-based system of care: a 25-year follow-up

Background/Objectives: Many mortality studies published so far were conducted in areas where hospital-based systems of care are available for mentally ill. The aim of this study was to describe the causes of death (including accidental and avoidable causes) and associated risk factors among psychiatric patients followed-up over a 25-year period in an area where psychiatric care is entirely provided by community-based psychiatric services. Methods: All subjects who had at least one contact with the South-Verona Community-based Mental Health Service during a 25 year period with an ICD-10 psychiatric diagnosis were…