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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | COVID-19 | Research

COVID-19-associated mortality in individuals with serious mental disorders in Sweden during the first two years of the pandemic– a population-based register study

Authors: Anna Gibbs, Martin Maripuu, Louise Öhlund, Micael Widerström, Niklas Nilsson, Ursula Werneke

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Reports at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic suggested differences in COVID-19-associated mortality between individuals with serious mental disorders (SMD) and the population at large.

Aim

To compare the pattern of COVID-19-associated mortality in individuals with and without SMD in Sweden over the two main pandemic years.

Methods

We compared the pattern of COVID-19-associated mortality in individuals with and without SMD in Sweden during 2020 and 2021. For SMD, we included psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. The analysis was based on summary data from the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare covering the entire adult Swedish population.

Results

The overall relative risk (RR) for experiencing a COVID-19-associated death was 1.66 (CI 1.50–1.83; p < 0.001) for individuals with SMD versus individuals without SMD. The corresponding RRs were 3.25 (CI 2.84–3.71; p < 0.001) for individuals with psychotic disorder, 1.06 (CI 0.88–1.26; p = 0.54) for individuals with bipolar disorder, and 1.03 (CI 0.80–1.32; p = 0.80) for individuals with severe depression. Compared to their respective counterparts in the non-SMD group, in the psychotic disorder and severe depression group, the RR were higher in women than in men. In the bipolar disorder group, the RR was higher in men than in women. The RR of COVID-19-associated death was generally higher in younger individuals with SMD. Individuals with psychosis between 18 and 59 years had the highest RR of COVID-19-associated death with 7.25 (CI 4.54–11.59; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Individuals with SMD, and particularly those with psychotic disorders, had a higher risk of COVID-19-associated death than the general population. As this is a pattern also seen with other infections, people with SMD may be similarly vulnerable in future pandemics.

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Title: COVID-19-associated mortality in individuals with serious mental disorders in Sweden during the first two years of the pandemic– a population-based register study
Authors: Anna Gibbs
Martin Maripuu
Louise Öhlund
Micael Widerström
Niklas Nilsson
Ursula Werneke
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: COVID-19
Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05629-y

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

COVID-19-associated mortality in individuals with serious mental disorders in Sweden during the first two years of the pandemic– a population-based register study

Abstract

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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