The physical health of Maori with bipolar disorder

Aims: There is very little empirical evidence about the relationship between severe mental illness and the physical health of Indigenous peoples. This paper aims to compare the physical health of Maori and non-Maori with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in contact with NZ mental health services. Methods: A cohort of Maori and non-Maori with a current bipolar disorder diagnosis at 1 January 2010 were identified from routine mental health services data and followed up for non-psychiatric hospital admissions and deaths over the subsequent 5 years. Results: Maori with bipolar disorder had a higher level of morbidity and a higher risk of death from natural causes compared to non-Maori with the same diagnosis, indicating higher levels of physical health need. The rate of medical and surgical hospitalisation was not higher among Maori compared to non-Maori (as might be expected given increased health needs) which suggests under-treatment of physical health conditions in this group may be a factor in the observed higher risk of mortality from natural causes for Maori. Conclusion: This study provides the first indication that systemic factors which cause health inequities between Maori and non-Maori are compounded for Maori living with severe mental illness. Further exploration of other diagnostic groups and subgroups is needed to understand the best approach to reducing these inequalities.