Schizophrenia contributes significantly to the global burden of disease. Whilst it is well known that schizophrenia is associated with increased mortality from suicide, it is less well known that the mortality and morbidity from other physical illnesses is higher in people with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is associated with at least 20% reduction in the life expectancy and this may roughly equate to 20-25 years of lost life in developed countries. Of those living with schizophrenia in the community without substance misuse in UK, men experience 20.5 years reduced life expectancy and women 16.4 years reduced life expectancy. In people with schizophrenia, about 40% will attempt suicide and about 10-13% will end up committing suicide. A significant proportion of premature mortality is therefore not directly attributable to suicide, but can be linked to the co-morbid physical illnesses that exist with schizophrenia.