Study Shows Increased Risk of Death from COVID-19 for Patients with Schizophrenia

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that schizophrenia is a risk factor for mortality in patients with COVID-19. The authors looked at data from March – May 2020 in a New York health system and their findings held true after adjusting for other factors.

Study authors include NKI Director Donald Goff, MD (senior author), NKI Research Psychiatrist Katlyn Nemani, MD (first author), and Research Scientist Eva Petkova, PhD. In an interview with the journal, Dr. Goff discussed the article and its implications.

Reference: Nemani K, Li C, Olfson M, Blessing EM, Razavian N, Chen J, Petkova E, Goff DC. Association of Psychiatric Disorders with Mortality Among Patients With COVID-19. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 27. PMID: 33502436.