@article{ref1,
title="Exploration of morbidity, suicide and all-cause mortality in a Scottish forensic cohort over 20 years",
journal="BJPsych open",
year="2020",
author="Rees, Cheryl and Thomson, Lindsay",
volume="6",
number="4",
pages="e62-e62",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Premature mortality among patients experiencing forensic care is high. This paper examines the morbidity and mortality of all Scottish high secure patients in 1992/1993 and followed up 20 years later through the context of recovery. AIMS: To explore morbidity and delineate which patients are at greatest risk of premature mortality. To assess the extent of suicide and unnatural deaths. To establish which factors, if any, appear protective. <br><br>METHOD: Health and mortality data were extracted from national data-sets and death categorised as premature or post-expected age. Standardised mortality ratios were calculated to explore natural, unnatural and suicide deaths with Cox regression conducted to explore baseline demographics and premature death. <br><br>RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 21.1 years, 36.9% (n = 89) died, at an average age of 55.6 years. Of these, 70.8% (n = 63) died prematurely. Men lost on average 14.9 years and women 24.1 years of potential life. Five lives (5.6%) were lost by suicide and three (3.4%) by unnatural means. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to other mainstream and forensic cohorts, high rates of suicide and accidental deaths were not apparent. Risk of premature mortality is high. A greater focus upon physical health by community and in-patient services is essential.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2056-4724",
doi="10.1192/bjo.2020.40",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2020.40"
}