Increase in death risk for individuals with severe mental illness after Covid-19 infection

Researchers analysed data from over 6.6 lakhs UK patients

CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: A recent study conducted by researchers from King's College London has revealed that individuals with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and psychosis, face an increased risk of death from any cause after contracting Covid-19. The study, which analysed data from over 660,000 UK patients between February 2020 and April 2021, highlights the alarming impact of the virus on vulnerable populations.

The researchers defined severe mental illness as the presence of at least one diagnostic record entry for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or other affective disorders with psychosis. Out of the total participants, consisting of 7,146 individuals with severe mental illnesses, it was discovered that Covid-19 infection raised the risk of death by 50 percent.

The study also delved into the role of ethnicity in relation to Covid-19 death risk. The findings revealed that Black Caribbean/Black African individuals faced a 22 percent higher risk of death compared to their White counterparts. Notably, this disparity was consistent among individuals with and without severe mental illness. However, it is worth mentioning that ethnicity data was not available for approximately 30 percent of the patient records.

Lead author Jayati Das-Munshi emphasized the stark nature of these findings, highlighting the existing health inequalities faced by people living with severe mental illness and those from racialized groups. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these disparities, shedding light on the urgent need for new policies and improved service provision. Senior author Alex Dregan stressed the importance of understanding why these disparities exist and addressing barriers to healthcare access for these vulnerable populations.

This study, one of the largest of its kind, underscores the heightened risk faced by individuals with severe mental illness after contracting Covid-19. The findings also shed light on the persistent health inequalities experienced by racialized groups. Moving forward, it is crucial for policymakers and healthcare providers to address these disparities and develop strategies to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all individuals, particularly those who are most vulnerable.