COPD and Schizophrenia

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is higher in people with schizophrenia than in the general population, even after adjusting for smoking, but schizophrenia has not generally been considered in discussions of COPD multimorbidity. People with schizophrenia die prematurely, and COPD is an important but neglected cause of this mortality. People with schizophrenia have a higher prevalence of ever smoking tobacco than the general population. The link between COPD and schizophrenia may be partially explained by higher rates of smoking, but may also be syndemic, with shared genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental risk factors, and common pathophysiological mechanisms. People with a mental illness tend to receive medical care intermittently. There is often a lack of continuity of care, and primary and preventive services are infrequently used. Physical symptoms may be viewed as "psychosomatic," leading to underdiagnosis. People with schizophrenia are less likely to receive adequate general medical care, including investigation and treatment, in line with guidelines. Antipsychotic drugs are associated with adverse effects that may be problematic in people with COPD. The management and outcomes for people with schizophrenia and COPD could be improved by reducing stigma, developing integrated services, undertaking physical health checks that include asking about respiratory symptoms and arranging spirometry when indicated, care coordination that includes addressing physical health issues, vaccination, support with smoking cessation, exercise, and pulmonary rehabilitation.