Physical Illness and Schizophrenia: A Review of the Evidence

It is well established that people suffering from schizophrenia have a higher prevalence of serious physical illness and a higher mortality than the general population. This book provides the first comprehensive and systematic review of current research evidence on the prevalence of physical diseases in people with schizophrenia, a disorder afflicting approximately 1% of the global population, and a group with mortality rates twice as high as the general population. The epidemiological data described in this book will provide the basis for improved awareness of these problems and better treatment for patients. This is the first in a series of books addressing an issue emerging as a priority in the mental health field: the timely and proper recognition of physical health problems in people with mental disorders. They should be read by policy makers, service managers, mental health professionals and general practitioners.

Stefan Leucht is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in the Technical University, Munich, Germany Mario Maj is Professor of Psychiatry and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples, Italy Norman Sartorius is President of the International Association for the improvement of Mental Health Programmes and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Washington University