BackgroundMany people with schizophrenia remain untreated in the community.
Long-term mortality and suicidal behaviour among never-treated
individuals with schizophrenia in the community are unknown.AimsTo explore 10-year mortality and suicidal behaviour among never-treated
individuals with schizophrenia.MethodWe used data from a 10-year prospective follow-up study (1994–2004) among
people with schizophrenia in Xinjin County, Chengdu, China.ResultsThe mortality rate for never-treated individuals with schizophrenia was
2761 per 100 000 person-years during follow-up. There were no significant
differences of rates of suicide and all-cause mortality between
never-treated and treated individuals. The standardised mortality ratio
(SMR) for never-treated people was 10.4 (95% CI 7.2–15.2) and for treated
individuals 6.5 (95% CI 5.2–8.5). Compared with treated people,
never-treated individuals were more likely to be older, poorer, have a
longer duration of illness, marked symptoms and fewer family members.ConclusionsThe never-treated individuals have similar mortality to and a higher
proportion of marked symptoms than treated people, which may reflect the
poor outcome of the individuals without treatment. The higher rates of
mortality, homelessness and never being treated among people with
schizophrenia in low- and middle-income nations might challenge presumed
wisdom about schizophrenia outcomes in these countries.
Differences in mortality and suicidal behaviour between treated
and never-treated people with schizophrenia in rural China
