J Korean Soc Biol Ther Psychiatry.  2019 Feb;25(1):42-49. 10.0000/jksbtp.2019.25.1.42.

Causes of Patient Mortality in Community Mental Health and Welfare Centers and Addiction Management Centers

• Park WY
• Hong JE
• Wang SY
• Shin JJ
• Lee JY
• Kim SY
• Kim JM
• Shin JS
• Yoon JS
• Kim SW

• KMID: 2454250
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksbtp.2019.25.1.42

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Serious mental illnesses and substance use disorder have a high level of early mortality. This study aimed to identify the causes of their deaths among patients who had been under the care of community mental health and welfare centers and addiction management centers.
METHODS
We collected information on deceased individuals, whose mortality was attributable to various causes of death, from 10 Community Mental Health Centers and Addiction Centers in Gwangju Metropolitan City. The primary variables collected included psychiatric diagnosis, cause of death, smoking habits, admission history, and several socio-demographic factors.
RESULTS
A total of 214 deaths among service users were studies. In Community Mental Health Centers, 109 deaths were identified, with causes that may be itemized as follows : 27 suicides(24.8%), 56 physical illnesses( 51.4%), 14 accidents(12.8%), and 12 unknown causes(11.0%). Among the physical illnesses reported, cardiovascular illness and cancer were the most common causes of death. A history of frequent admission was common among those that had died by suicide(88.9%), compared with that observed among general service users(62.0%). In Addiction Centers, 105 deaths were identified, with causes that may be itemized as follows : 7 suicides(6.7%), 71 physical illnesses(68.3%), 7 accidents(6.7%), and 20 unknown causes(19.0%). Among the physical illnesses reported, sudden death, hepatic disorder, cancer, and cardiovascular disorder were the most common causes of death.
CONCLUSION
Case managers should give due consideration to and carefully manage the physical health of individuals accessing mental health services via community mental health centers and addiction centers.

Keyword

Health; Mental disorders; Suicide; Mortality; Substance use disorder; Case management

MeSH Terms

Case Management
Cause of Death
Community Mental Health Centers
Death, Sudden
Gwangju
Humans
Mental Disorders
Mental Health Services
Mental Health*
Mortality*
Smoke
Smoking
Substance-Related Disorders
Suicide
Smoke