Physical Illness and Schizophrenia: A Review of the Evidence

by Stefan Leucht, Tonja Burkard, John H. Henderson, Mario Maj, Norman Sartorius

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521882644
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/22/2007
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Stefan is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in the Technical University, Munich, Germany.

Tonja Burkard has recently graduated in Medicine from the Technical University, Munich, Germany.

John Henderson is a retired Consultant Psychiatrist.

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, St Louis, USA. In addition, he is part time Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Zagreb and Visiting Professor of Psychiatry at the Universities of Beijing, London and Prague.

Table of Contents

Foreword; 1. Introduction; 2. Method; 3. Results: 3.1 Bacterial infections and mycoses; 3.2 Virus diseases; 3.3 Parasitic diseases; 3.4 Neoplasms; 3.5 Musculoskeletal diseases; 3.6 Digestive system diseases; 3.7 Stomatognathic diseases; 3.8 Respiratory tract diseases; 3.9 Otorhinolaryngologic diseases; 3.10 Diseases of the nervous system; 3.11 Eye diseases; 3.12 Urologic and male genital diseases; 3.13 Female genital diseases and pregnancy complications; 3.14 Cardiovascular diseases; 3.15 Hemic and lymphatic diseases 3.16 Congenital, hereditary, and neonatal diseases and abnormalities; 3.17 Skin and connective tissue diseases; 3.18 Nutritional and metabolic diseases; 3.19 Endocrine diseases; 3.20 Immune system diseases; 3.21 Disorders of the environmental origin; 3.22 Animal diseases; 3.23 Pathologic conditions, signs and symptoms; 4. Discussion 5. Summary.

Editorial Reviews

"This is a highly valuable review of the available literature on a greatly underappreciated topic. It is likely that this book will become a source document for many future efforts in the long road ahead to improve the status of prevention and treatment for physical health conditions in individuals with major mental disorders like schizophrenia. From this perspective, the book is an important starting place for any discussion of how we can do better in the prevention of disease for this population." PsycCRITIQUES

"This book will be particularly useful for those doing research on co-occurring medical illness and those researching schizophrenia both in psychiatry and in general medicine. Those involved in public policy regarding service delivery and research funding will find a wealth of information, as well as an appreciation for the limits of our current knowledge." - Marie Hobart, Psychiatric Services

From the Publisher