It is well established that people suffering from schizophrenia have a higher prevalence of serious physical illness and a higher mortality than the general population. This book provides the first comprehensive and systematic review of current research evidence on the prevalence of physical diseases in people with schizophrenia, a disorder afflicting approximately 1% of the global population, and a group with mortality rates twice as high as the general population. The epidemiological data described in this book will provide the basis for improved awareness of these problems and better treatment for patients. This is the first in a series of books addressing an issue emerging as a priority in the mental health field: the timely and proper recognition of physical health problems in people with mental disorders. They should be read by policy makers, service managers, mental health professionals and general practitioners.

Stefan is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in the Technical University, Munich, Germany.

Foreword; 1. Introduction; 2. Method; 3. Results: 3.1 Bacterial infections and mycoses; 3.2 Virus diseases; 3.3 Parasitic diseases; 3.4 Neoplasms; 3.5 Musculoskeletal diseases; 3.6 Digestive system diseases; 3.7 Stomatognathic diseases; 3.8 Respiratory tract diseases; 3.9 Otorhinolaryngologic diseases; 3.10 Diseases of the nervous system; 3.11 Eye diseases; 3.12 Urologic and male genital diseases; 3.13 Female genital diseases and pregnancy complications; 3.14 Cardiovascular diseases; 3.15 Hemic and lymphatic diseases 3.16 Congenital, hereditary, and neonatal diseases and abnormalities; 3.17 Skin and connective tissue diseases; 3.18 Nutritional and metabolic diseases; 3.19 Endocrine diseases; 3.20 Immune system diseases; 3.21 Disorders of the environmental origin; 3.22 Animal diseases; 3.23 Pathologic conditions, signs and symptoms; 4. Discussion 5. Summary.