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The comorbidities associated with schizophrenia may have an impact on the quality of life of the patient,[APA, 2013; Carrà et al., 2016; Hou et al., 2016] however, there are indications that some specific comorbidities may be linked to better long-term outcomes,[Sim et al., 2006] or reduced negative symptoms.[Carrà et al., 2016]
Ultimately, patients with schizophrenia face a greater medical burden than the general population, and schizophrenia is a condition that is associated with a significant occupational and social dysfunction on its own.[APA, 2013, pg. 104] The condition is also associated with an elevated risk of suicide, with approximately 5–6% of patients with schizophrenia dying by suicide.[APA, 2013, pg. 104] The added burden of the comorbid medical conditions that are associated with schizophrenia further reduces the life expectancy of patients with this debilitating condition.[APA, 2013, pg. 105]
References:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition (DSM-5™). © American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
Carrà G, Johnson S, Crocamo C, et al. Psychosocial functioning, quality of life and clinical correlates of comorbid alcohol and drug dependence syndromes in people with schizophrenia across Europe. Psychiatry Res 2016; 239: 301–307.
Hou CL, Ma XR, Cai MY, et al. Comorbid moderate-severe depressive symptoms and their association with quality of life in Chinese patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care. Community Ment Health J 2016; 52 (8): 921–926.
Sim K, Chan YH, Chua TH, et al. Physical comorbidity, insight, quality of life and global functioning in first episode schizophrenia: a 24-month, longitudinal outcome study. Schizophr Res 2006; 88 (1–3): 82–89.
Correll CU, Rubio JM, Kane JM. What is the risk-benefit ratio of long-term antipsychotic treatment in people with schizophrenia? World Psychiatry 2018; 17 (2): 149–160.