Comparison of outcomes for patients with and without a serious mental illness presenting to hospital for chronic obstruction pulmonary disease: retrospective observational study using administrative data

BackgroundThere are few data on the profile of those with serious mental illness (SMI) admitted to hospital for physical health reasons. AimsTo compare outcomes for patients with and without an SMI admitted to hospital in England where the primary reason for admission was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodThis was a retrospective, observational analysis of the English Hospital Episodes Statistics data-set for the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019, for patients aged 18-74 years with COPD as the dominant reason for admission. Patient with an SMI (psychosis spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder) were identified. ResultsData were available for 54 578 patients, of whom 2096 (3.8%) had an SMI. Patients with an SMI were younger, more likely to be female and more likely to live in deprived areas than those without an SMI. The burden of comorbidity was similar between the two groups. After adjusting for covariates, SMI was associated with significantly greater risk of length of stay than the median (odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.37, P <= 0.001) and with 30-day emergency readmission (odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.34-1.69, P <= 0.001) but not with in-hospital mortality. ConclusionClinicians should be aware of the potential for poorer outcomes in patients with an SMI even when the SMI is not the primary reason for admission. Collaborative working across mental and physical healthcare provision may facilitate improved outcomes for people with SMI.

Automated summary

This study compares the outcomes of patients with and without serious mental illness (SMI) admitted to hospital for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in England. It finds that patients with SMI have a higher risk of longer hospital stays and emergency readmissions. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for poorer outcomes in patients with SMI.