Abstract
Background
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of premature mortality in psychotic disorders. The authors aimed to examine short-term mortality, cardiovascular complications, revascularization and cardioprotective medication receipt after incident acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among patients with psychotic disorders compared with patients without psychotic disorders.
Methods
This was a population-based cohort study with data retrieved from a territory-wide medical record database of public healthcare services to 7.5 million residents in Hong Kong. The study identified 67,692 patients aged ≥18 years admitted for first-recorded ACS between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016. The cohort was dichotomously divided by pre-ACS diagnosis of psychotic disorder. Multivariate regression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] and 95%CI) was used to examine associations of psychotic disorders with all-cause 30-day and 1-year mortality, cardiovascular complications, 30-day and 1-year invasive cardiac procedures, and 90-day post-discharge cardioprotective medication prescription.
Results
Patients with psychotic disorders (N=703) had higher 30-day (aOR=1.99, 95%CI=1.65–2.39) and 1-year (aOR=2.13, 95%CI=1.79–2.54) mortality, and cardiovascular complication rates (aOR=1.20, 95%CI=1.02–1.41), lower receipt of cardiac catheterization (30-day: aOR=0.54, 95%CI=0.43–0.68; 1-year: aOR=0.46, 95%CI=0.38–0.56), percutaneous coronary intervention (30-day: aOR=0.55, 95%CI=0.44–0.70; 1-year: aOR=0.52, 95%CI=0.42–0.63) and reduced β-blockers (aOR=0.81, 95%CI=0.68–0.97), statins (aOR=0.54, 95%CI=0.44–0.66), and clopidogrel prescriptions (aOR=0.66, 95%CI=0.55–0.80). Effect of psychotic disorder on heightened mortality was more pronounced in younger-aged (<65 years) and male patients. Associations between psychotic disorder and increased mortality remained significant even after complications and treatment receipt were additionally adjusted.
Discussion
Psychotic disorders are associated with increased risks of short-term post-ACS mortality, cardiovascular complications and inferior treatment. Excess mortality is not substantially explained by treatment inequality. Further investigation is warranted to clarify factors for suboptimal cardiac-care and elevated mortality in psychotic disorders to enhance post-ACS outcome.
Comment on Shah et al. Cardiovascular Complications and Mortality After Diabetes Diagnosis for South Asian and Chinese Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Diabetes Care 2013;36:2670–2676
