Schizophrenia is 2nd highest risk factor for dying of COVID-19, after age

[Demovictory9]

https://www.livescience.com/schizophrenia-covid-19-death-risk-factor.html

Schizophrenia may be one of the highest risk factors for dying from COVID-19, second only to age, according to a new study.

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In the new study, researchers looked at health records from 260 outpatient clinics and four hospitals across New York City, based on data published by the New York University electronic health record; Of 26,540 patients tested (around 4,500 patients were excluded for various reasons), 7,348 adults tested positive COVID-19 between March 3 and May 31.

They then divided the patients with a reported psychiatric disorder into one of three categories — schizophrenia spectrum, mood disorder or anxiety disorder — and compared them with COVID-19 patients who weren't diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder. They adjusted their findings for sex, age, race and known risk factors for COVID-19: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, smoking and cancer.

Of the more than 7,000 adults who tested positive for the coronavirus during that time, 75 patients had a history of schizophrenia; 564 had a history of a mood disorder; and 360 had a history of an anxiety disorder. Overall, 864 of the COVID-19 patients died or were discharged to hospice within 45 days of their diagnosis.

The researchers did not find an association between anxiety or mood disorders and death from COVID-19. But they found that people with schizophrenia were about 2.7 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people without that mental disorder — the second-highest risk factor after age.

[ProfessorGAC]

1. An Odd Finding

Not disputing it. Just so unexpected it seems odd.
Could it be the treatment meds?

[SheltieLover]

2. I wonder what this infers about autism?

I've read that underlying neurological conditions (unspecified) are a big risk factor.

As those with autism are non-neurotypical and it is the same "default circuit" in the brain at the base of both schizophrenia (hyper connected default circuit) & autism (hypoconnected default circuit), I wonder what, if any connection they will find.

I've not seen anything about covid & autism, have you?

[PA Democrat]

6. Yes. There are several studies which show people with autism and other intellectual disabilities

are at significantly higher risk of death.

People with intellectual disabilities and autism who contract COVID-19 die at higher rates than the rest of the population, according to an analysis by NPR of numbers obtained from two states that collect data. They also contract the virus at a higher rate, according to research looking into group homes across the United States.

In Pennsylvania, numbers obtained by NPR show that people with intellectual disabilities and autism who test positive for COVID-19 die at a rate about twice as high as other Pennsylvania residents who contract the illness.

In New York, the state with the most deaths from COVID-19, people with developmental disabilities die at a rate 2.5 times the rate of others who contract the virus.

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/09/872401607/covid-19-infections-and-deaths-are-higher-among-those-with-intellectual-disabili

[SheltieLover]

8. ...

Ty!

I keep thinking of all those with autism I worked with over the years...

[Hugin]

4. I'm also finding it odd.

I wonder if the reason had nothing to do with the actual diagnosis of schizophrenia such as those people so diagnosed were more likely to be institutionalized or live in a group setting?

[NurseJackie]

5. My first thought as well.

Could it be the treatment meds?

My first thought as well. Which meds were being Rx'd... at what doses... if at all. Is there a direct correlation to the severity of the disease, or the patient's ability to appreciate the dangers of Covid and their ability to be save and use proper precautions in a socially and personally responsible way?

I suppose it's possible that the disease itself may be a contributing factor, but I suspect that it's something external, environmental, or behavioral.

[RobinA]

3. Many (Not All)

people with schizophrenia are not super cooperative with medical treatment and advice. I don't know if this would result in a higher death rate from COVID, but it is a thought.

[robbob]

7. It's the vitamin D deficiency?

I’ve read a theory that vitamin D deficiency is one of the main predictors of a fatal reaction to catching Covid. It’s a reason why communities of colour are being so strongly hit by this disease, as vitamin D deficiency is also high in those communities. As soon as I saw the OP I googled “vitamin D and schizophrenia”, and sure enough, there’s a correlation.

This is just a theory I’ve heard. But if true it means something as simple as taking your vitamins and getting fresh air and sunshine could be critical in surviving this disease.