International Journal of Health Research and Innovation

Schizophrenia-related deaths during the Danish malnutrition period 1999-2007

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• Abstract

  Background: Studies published over the last few years have shown that malnutrition has a severe effect on schizophrenia patients. During the period from January 1999 to January 2007 a statistically significant increase in the number of deaths related to malnutrition was found among the elderly in Denmark. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine whether or not the effect of the malnutrition period can be seen in the number of schizophrenia-related deaths among the elderly. Method: Regression analyses. Results: The study found a sudden statistically significant rise in the number of schizophrenia-related deaths among the elderly to be associated with the period when the general nutritional state among the elderly in Denmark worsened (from 1999 to 2007).In addition the study found a bubble in the death rate from schizophrenia that was significantly associated with the bubble in malnutrition and was calculated to have claimed between 190 and 417extra lives. Conclusion: The study concludes that for the period 1999-2007 an excess death rate from malnutrition was associated with an excess death rate from schizophrenia and that women react stronger to malnutrition in relation to schizophrenia than men.