Somatic care utilization and needs for somatic health care of patients with Severe Mental Illness

Aim: Research has revealed higher risks of somatic problems among patients with non-affective psychotic disorders (NAPD) compared to the general population. The aim of this study was to examine whether NAPD patients also show increased somatic health care utilization compared to personally-matched controls without a psychiatric diagnosis and patients with unipolar depression, anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder. Methods: Data from a large Health Insurance agency were used to analyze prescribed somatic medication, general practitioner consultations, and treatment by a somatic specialist. Results: Patients with NAPD showed serious somatic under treatment, which was associated with older age and longer illness duration. Conclusion: In view of the high risk on natural death causes among patients with NAPD, our data indicate under treatment for physical disorders, especially at older age and with longer duration of the mental disorder.