Mortality and excess life-years lost in patients with schizophrenia under community care: a 5-year follow-up cohort study

Objective: Mortality rate is a general indicator which can be used to measure care and management of schizophrenia. This cohort study evaluated the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of all-cause mortality and life-years lost (LYLs) in patients with schizophrenia under a community care program in China. Methods: Data were obtained from the National Community Care Program System for Severe Mental Disorders. A total of 99,214 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were enrolled before December 2014 and followed between 2015 and 2019. A total of 9,483 patients died. Crude mortality rates (CMRs) and SMRs were then stratified by natural vs. unnatural causes, and major groups of death were standardized according to the 2010 National Population SMRs. The corresponding LYLs at birth were also calculated by gender and age. Results: The SMRs of patients with schizophrenia were significantly elevated during the study period, with an overall SMR of 4.98 (95%CI 2.67-7.32). Neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, external injuries, and poisonings were the most significant causes of death among patients with schizophrenia compared to the general population. The mean LYLs of patients with schizophrenia were 15.28 (95%CI 13.26-17.30). Males with schizophrenia lost 15.82 life-years (95%CI 13.48-18.16), and females lost 14.59 life-years (95%CI 13.12-16.06). Conclusions: Patients with schizophrenia under community care had a high mortality rate in our study, even though mental health services have been integrated into the general healthcare system in China to narrow treatment gaps in mental health for > 10 years. In terms of mortality outcome indicators, effective and quality mental health services still have a long way to go. The current study demonstrates the potential for improved prevention and treatment of individuals with schizophrenia under community care.

Relationship between mortality risk and health-related factors and sense of coherence in residents ofa rural area in Japan / Journal of Rural Medicine

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between mortality risk and health-related factors and sense of coherence (SOC) in a cohort study of residents from a rural area of Japan.Materials and Methods: We followed-up with 3,416 baseline respondents over 3.76 years. Residents were subdivided into three groups based on SOC score: low, middle, and high. We used the total SOC score of the low-level SOC group as the standard, and calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for the middle- and high-level SOC groups. For all three SOC groups, health-related factors were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, and lifestyle and history were analyzed using the χ2 test. Results were also analyzed by gender and age.Results: For men in the low-level SOC group, the SMR value was defined as 1, and for men in the high-level SOC group (0.44; 95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.77), the SMR value was significantly lower. There was a statistically significant reduction in the percentage of smokers in the men in the high-level SOC group.Conclusion: In this study, high-level SOC was associated with low mortality risk. This finding was particularly pronounced in the men.

Lipoprotein(a): An underrecognized genetic risk factor for malignant coronary artery disease in young Indians

Malignant coronary artery disease (CAD) refers to a severe and extensive atherosclerotic process involving multiple coronary arteries in young individuals (aged <45 years in men and <50 years in women) with a low or no burden of established risk factors. Indians, in general, develop acute myocardial infarction (AMI) about 10 years earlier; AMI rates are threefold to fivefold higher in young Indians than in other populations. Although established CAD risk factors have a predictive value, they do not fully account for the excessive burden of CAD in young Indians. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is increasingly recognized as the strongest known genetic risk factor for premature CAD, with high levels observed in Indians with malignant CAD. High Lp(a) levels confer a twofold to threefold risk of CAD—a risk similar to that of established risk factors, including diabetes. South Asians have the second highest Lp(a) levels and the highest risk of AMI from the elevated levels, more than double the risk observed in people of European descent. Approximately 25% of Indians and other South Asians have elevated Lp(a) levels (≥50 mg/dl), rendering Lp(a) a risk factor of great importance, similar to or surpassing diabetes. Lp(a) measurement is ready for clinical use and should be an essential part of all CAD research in Indians.

Mortalidad observada versus esperada en una red de unidades de diálisis en Colombia / Observed versus expected mortality in a network of dialysis units in Colombia

Resumen Antecedentes: la mortalidad en diálisis es uno de los principales indicadores de gestión clínica y se ve influenciada por diversos factores sociodemográficos y clínicos. Objetivos: calcular la mortalidad observada versus la esperada en las unidades de diálisis de la red de RTS en Colombia. Métodos: cohorte histórica de pacientes mayores de 18 años, prevalentes en diálisis entre el 1 de enero y el 31 de diciembre de 2012, de 51 unidades renales de la red Renal Therapy Services (RTS). Se calculó la razón estandarizada de mortalidad (REM) siguiendo la metodología propuesta por la Universidad de Michigan Centro de Costos y Epidemiologic Renal (UM-KECC); se implementó un modelo de supervivencia de riesgos proporcionales de Cox en dos etapas, la primera estimó los parámetros asociados con las variables explicativas y la segunda estandarizó los resultados. Resultados: se evaluaron 9798 pacientes, 4125 (42.1%) fueron mujeres, la media de edad fue de 59 años (DE=15.6). Se observaron 1253 eventos de muerte (12.7%). El modelo arrojó un valor de 1067 muertes esperadas, con un valor estimado de REM de 1.17 (IC95%: 1.11-1.24). La REM fue mayor para pacientes diabéticos 1.28 (IC95%:1.19-1.38) y mujeres (1.36 (IC95%: 1.25-1.48); y varió significativamente por zona del país (1.11 a 2.0). Conclusiones: encontramos diferencias importantes en la REM según sexo, presencia de diabetes y por zonas del país. Se requiere mediante nuevos estudios entender mejor la influencia de estas y otras variables sobre el fenómeno de mortalidad en diálisis en nuestro contexto. (Acta Med Colomb 2017; 42: 106-111).

Abstract Background: mortality in dialysis is one of the main indicators of clinical management and is influenced by various socio-demographic and clinical factors. Objectives: to calculate the observed versus expected mortality in the dialysis units of the RTS network in Colombia. Methods: a historical cohort of patients older than 18 years, prevalent on dialysis between January 1 and December 31, 2012, of 51 renal units of the Renal Therapy Services (RTS) network. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated following the methodology proposed by the University of Michigan Center for Costs and Renal Epidemiology (UM-KECC); a Cox proportional hazards survival model was implemented in two stages, the first estimated the parameters associated with the explanatory variables and the second standardized the results. Results: 9798 patients were evaluated, 4125 (42.1%) were women. The mean age was 59 years (SD = 15.6). There were 1253 death events (12.7%). The model gave a value of 1067 expected deaths, with an estimated SMR value of 1.17 (95% CI: 1.11-1.24). SMR was greater for diabetic patients 1.28 (95% CI: 1.19-1.38) and women (1.36 (95% CI: 1.25-1.48)) and it varied significantly depending on the region of the country (1.11 to 2.0). Conclusions: important differences in SMR according to sex, presence of diabetes and by regions of the country were found. Further studies are required to better understand the influence of these and other variables on the mortality phenomenon in dialysis in our context. (Acta Med Colomb 2017; 42: 106-111).

How Can We Use Hospital-Standardized Mortality Ratio as a Quality Indicator of Hospital Care in Korea? / 보건행정학회지

The hospital standardized mortality ratio (HSMR) is a widely used generic measure for assessing quality of hospital care in many countries. However, the validity of HSMR as a quality indicator is still controversial. We critically reviewed characteristics of HSMR and suggested how to use HSMR as a quality indicator in the Korean setting. The association between HSMR and other quality measures of hospital care is inconclusive. In addition current HSMR model has shortcomings in risk adjustment because of the lack of clinical data, accuracy of disease coding, coding variation among hospitals, end-of-life care issues, and so on. Therefore, HSMR should be used as an indicator for improvement, not for judgement such as public reporting and pay-for-performance. More efforts will be needed to tackle practical and methodological weaknesses of HSMR in the Korean setting.

Morbidity and Mortality in Jeju Residents over 50-Years of Age with Hip Fracture with Mean 6-Year Follow-Up: A Prospective Cohort Study

This prospective cohort study was performed to estimate the morbidity and mortality with 790 patients over 50-yr of age that sustained a femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture from 2002 to 2006, followed-up for a mean of 6 yr (range, 4 to 9 yr). Crude and annual standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated; and mortalities in the cohort and the age and sex matched general population were compared. The risk factors on mortality and activities pre- and post-injury were assessed. Accumulated mortality was 16.7% (132 patients) at 1 yr, 45.8% (337 patients) at 5 yr, and 60% (372 patients) at 8 yr. SMR at 5 yr post-injury was 1.3 times that of the general population. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age (OR, 1.074; 95% CI, 1.050-1.097; P<0.001), woman (OR, 1.893; 95% CI, 1.207-2.968; P=0.005), and medical comorbidity (OR, 1.334; 95% CI, 1.167-1.524 P<0.001) were independently associated with mortality after hip fracture. Only 59 of the 150 patients (39.3%) who were able to ambulate normally outdoors at preinjury retained this ability at final follow-up. Patients with a hip fracture exhibits higher mortality at up to 5 yr than general population. Age and a preinjury comorbidity are associated with mortality.

Deprivation and Mortality at the Town Level in Busan, Korea: An Ecological Study / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Busan is reported to have the highest mortality rate among 16 provinces in Korea, as well as considerable health inequality across its districts. This study sought to examine overall and cause-specific mortality and deprivation at the town level in Busan, thereby identifying towns and causes of deaths to be targeted for improving overall health and alleviating health inequality. METHODS: Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all-cause and four specific leading causes of death were calculated at the town level in Busan for the years 2005 through 2008. To construct a deprivation index, principal components and factor analysis were adopted, using 10% sample data from the 2005 census. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping techniques were applied to compare spatial distributions between the deprivation index and SMRs. We fitted the Gaussian conditional autoregressive model (CAR) to estimate the relative risks of mortality by deprivation level, controlling for both the heterogeneity effect and spatial autocorrelation. RESULTS: The SMRs of towns in Busan averaged 100.3, ranging from 70.7 to 139.8. In old inner cities and towns reclaimed for replaced households, the deprivation index and SMRs were relatively high. CAR modeling showed that gaps in SMRs for heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and physical injury were particularly high. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that more deprived towns are likely to have higher mortality, in particular from cardiovascular disease and physical injury. To improve overall health status and address health inequality, such deprived towns should be targeted.

Suicide Trend of Standardized Mortality Ratio and Age Standardized Proportion Mortality Ratio According to Occupational Groups in Korea: 1993-2007 / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: A number of studies on the trends of socioeconomic differences in suicide mortality have indicated that these inequality gaps have widened over time and highlight that certain occupations have more suicide risk than others. However suicide rates according to occupation based socioeconomic position have not been frequently studied in Korea. The purpose of this study is to report trends and inequality of suicide according to occupation based social class during 1993-2007 in Korea and to identify occupations with significantly high standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) for both men and women. METHODS: Korean census records for the years 1995, 2000, and 2005 were linked with the cause of death records from Korean National Statistical Office (KNSO) for the periods 1993-1997, 1998-2003, and 2004-2007 respectively. This data was used to calculate age adjusted proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for both men and women aged 25~54 years according to five occupation based socioeconomic positions. RESULTS: Among men, the agricultural-fishery-forestry group had the greatest suicide rate (SMR: 341) with a high PMR (113) and the manual labor group showed the highest PMR (118), while the managers-professional occupation group showed the lowest sPMR (78) and SMR (21). Among women, the agricultural-fishery group had the highest score in SMR (316) and PMR (130), and the technical-artificer group showed the lowest sPMR (71) and SMR (27). The inequality gaps in the suicide mortality rate according to occupation had widened during 1998-2002, but showed a recovery trend plot after 2003. CONCLUSIONS: Although the occupation based socioeconomic inequalities show a recovery trend after 2003, the excess inequality from suicide remains as high as it was prior to the 2002 year in some occupational groups. The results of the current study indicate that the manual and agricultural-fishery-forestry groups were high risk groups of suicide.

Fifteen Years After the Gozan-Dong Glass Fiber Outbreak, Incheon in 1995 / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: In 1995, an outbreak survey in Gozan-dong concluded that an association between fiberglass exposure in drinking water and cancer outbreak cannot be established. This study follows the subjects from a study in 1995 using a data linkage method to examine whether an association existed. The authors will address the potential benefits and methodological issues following outbreak surveys using data linkage, particularly when informed consent is absent. METHODS: This is a follow-up study of 697 (30 exposed) individuals out of the original 888 (31 exposed) participants (78.5%) from 1995 to 2007 assessing the cancer outcomes and deaths of these individuals. The National Cancer Registry (KNCR) and death certificate data were linked using the ID numbers of the participants. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) from cancers were calculated by the KNCR. RESULTS: The SIR values for all cancer or gastrointestinal cancer (GI) occurrences were the lowest in the exposed group (SIR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.10 to 5.21; 0.00 for GI), while the two control groups (control 1: external, control 2: internal) showed slight increases in their SIR values (SIR, 1.18 and 1.27 for all cancers; 1.62 and 1.46 for GI). All lacked statistical significance. All-cause mortality levels for the three groups showed the same pattern (SMR 0.37, 1.29, and 1.11). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not refute a finding of non-association with a 13-year follow-up. Considering that many outbreak surveys are associated with a small sample size and a cross-sectional design, follow-up studies that utilize data linkage should become standard procedure.

Radiation Exposure and Cancer Mortality Among Nuclear Power Plant Workers: a Meta-analysis / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between low external doses of ionizing radiation exposure and the risk of cancer mortality among nuclear power plant workers. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE using key words related to low dose and cancer risk. The selected articles were restricted to those written in English from 1990 to January 2009. We excluded those studies with no fit to the selection criteria and we included the cited references in published articles to minimize publication bias. Through this process, a total of 11 epidemiologic studies were finally included. RESULTS: We found significant decreased deaths from all cancers (SMR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62 - 0.90), all cancers excluding leukemia, solid cancer, mouth and pharynx, esophagus, stomach, rectum, liver and gallbladder, pancreas, lung, prostate, lymphopoietic and hematopoitic cancer. The findings of this meta-analysis were similar with those of the 15 Country Collaborative Study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A publication bias was found only for liver and gallbladder cancer (p = 0.015). Heterogeneity was observed for all cancers, all cancers excluding leukemia, solid cancer, esophagus, colon and lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of low mortality for stomach, rectum, liver and gallbladder cancers may explained by the health worker effect. Yet further studies are needed to clarify the low SMR of cancers, for which there is no useful screening tool, in nuclear power plant workers.

Gravidade dos pacientes admitidos à Unidade de Terapia Intensiva de um hospital universitário brasileiro / Severity of patients admitted to a Brazilian teaching hospital Intensive Care Unit

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Analisar a gravidade de pacientes internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) de um hospital universitário, utilizando o escore APACHE II. MÉTODO: Foi realizado estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, com análise de 300 pacientes admitidos à UTI, no período de março de 2004 a julho de 2005. RESULTADOS: Dos 300 pacientes estudados, 51,7 por cento eram do sexo masculino, com média idade de 54,2 ± 19,57) anos. Houve maior prevalência de pacientes acima de 60 anos (43 por cento). Quanto à procedência, 78 por cento foram provenientes das enfermarias do próprio hospital. De acordo com o sistema acometido, as principais disfunções foram respiratórias e cardiovasculares. A média de permanência na UTI foi de 7,51 ± 8,21) dias. A média geral de APACHE II foi de 16,48 ± 7,67), com significativa diferença entre sobreviventes e falecidos. A mortalidade total na UTI foi de 32,7 por cento, sem diferença significativa entre os pacientes falecidos com menos ou mais de 48 horas. A razão de mortalidade padronizada foi 1,1. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da gravidade dos pacientes admitidos, a razão de mortalidade padronizada sugere satisfatória qualidade no serviço em apreço.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the morbidity and the mortality of critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit in a teaching hospital, using the APACHE II score. METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study, with analysis of 300 patients admitted to ICU from March 2004 to July 2005. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients admitted to ICU, 51.7 percent were men, average 54.2 ± 19.57 years and 78 percent from the wards of the teaching hospital itself. There was more prevalence of patients aged 60 years or older (43 percent). The main dysfunctions were from the respiratory and cardiocirculatory systems. Length of stay in ICU was 7.51 ± 8.21 days. The mean of APACHE II was 16.48 ± 7.67, with meaningful difference between survivors and deceased patients. The real mortality rate in ICU was 32.7 percent, without meaningful difference between patients that died before or after 48 hours. The standardized mortality ratio was 1.1. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the severity of the patients admitted to ICU, the standardized mortality ratio suggests a satisfactory quality in the service.