Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of medical illnesses is high among patients with psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to investigate multi-comorbidity in patients with psychiatric disorders in comparison to the general population. Secondary aims were the investigation of factors associated with metabolic syndrome and treatment appropriateness of mental disorders. Material and Methods The sample included 54,826 subjects (64.73% females; 34.15% males; 1.11% non-binary gender) from 40 countries (COMET-G study). The analysis was based on the registration of previous history that could serve as a fair approximation for the lifetime prevalence of various medical conditions. Results 24.5% reported a history of somatic and 26.14% of mental disorders. Mental disorders were by far the most prevalent group of medical conditions. Comorbidity of any somatic with any mental disorder was reported by 8.21%. One-Third to almost two-Thirds, of somatic patients were also suffering from a mental disorder depending on severity and multi-comorbidity. Bipolar and psychotic patients and to a lesser extent depressives, manifested an earlier (15-20 years) manifestation of somatic multi-comorbidity, severe disability, and probably earlier death. The overwhelming majority of patients with mental disorders were not under treatment or were treated in a non-recommended. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were not related to the development of the metabolic syndrome. Discussion The finding that one-Third to almost two-Thirds, of somatic patients were also suffering from a mental disorder strongly suggests that psychiatry is the field with the most trans-specialty and interdisciplinary value and application points to the importance of teaching psychiatry and mental health in medical schools and also to the need for more technocratically oriented training of psychiatric residents.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 126-149 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | CNS Spectrums |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - 2024 |
Keywords
- disability
- epidemiology
- multi-comorbidity
- premature death
- somatic-mental comorbidity