Citation

Lambert TJ, Velakoulis D, Pantelis C. Med. J. Aust. 2003; 178(Suppl): S67-70.

Affiliation

Office for Psychiatric Evaluation and Educational Newmedia, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC. lambertt@unimelb.edu.au

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Australian Medical Association, Publisher Australasian Medical Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12720526

Abstract

Schizophrenia has been described as a "life-shortening disease", and physical comorbidity accounts for 60% of premature deaths not related to suicide. People with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses have a higher rate of preventable risk factors such as smoking, high alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Recognition and management of morbidity in people with mental illness are made more difficult by barriers related to the patient, the illness, the attitudes of medical practitioners, and the structure of healthcare delivery services. Improved detection and treatment of medical illness in people with schizophrenia will have significant benefits for their psychosocial functioning and overall quality of life.

Language: en