Adolescent psychiatric in-patients - A high-risk group for premature death

Background Research has demonstrated increased mortality rates in adolescen t psychiatric in-patients. Aims To investigate this excess mortality by calculating standardised morta lity ratios (SMRs) relative to cause of death, diagnosis, cohort and age. Method A nationwide Norwegian sample of 1095 former adolescent psychiatric in-patients were followed up 15-33 years after first hospitalisation by rec ord linkage to the National Death Cause Registry Results The SMR was significantly increased for almost all causes of death investigated. In males, all psychiatric diagnoses had significantly increas ed SMRs, whereas in females, organic mental disorder, anxiety disorder and affective disorder had non-significantly increased SMRs. The SMR was signif icantly elevated for all age-spans and cohorts investigated. Conclusions Abroad prevention strategy is needed to combat the increased mo rtality rates found in adolescent psychiatric in-patients. Declaration of interest Funded by a grant from the Foundation for Health an d Rehabilitation through the Norwegian Council for Mental Health.