Surgical outcomes in people with SMI

People with a diagnosis of severe mental illness have reduced life expectancy. The reasons for this are complex and included patient factors, side effects of medication and systemic factors. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of higher morbidity and mortality but outcomes in other physical health conditions (such as cancer) are also worse. There has been significant work looking at the assessment and management of medical issues in this population but less is known about surgical outcomes for those with severe mental illness. Using the CRIS/HES database we would like to look at whether having a mental health diagnosis affects the length of stay or rates of complications following a surgical procedure.