Somatic multicomorbidity and disability in patients with psychiatric disorders in comparison to the general population: a quasi-epidemiological investigation in 54,826 subjects from 40 countries (COMET-G study)
Authors: Fountoulakis Konstantinos N. , Karakatsoulis Grigorios N. , Abraham Seri , Adorjan Kristina , Ahmed Helal Uddin , Alarcón Renato D. , Arai Kiyomi , Auwal Sani Salihu , Berk Michael , Bjedov Sarah , Bobes Julio , Bobes-Bascaran Teresa , Bourgin-Duchesnay Julie , Bredicean Cristina Ana , Bukelskis Laurynas , Burkadze Akaki , Cabrera Abud Indira Indiana , Castilla-Puentes Ruby , Cetkovich Marcelo , Colon-Rivera Hector , Corral Ricardo , Cortez-Vergara Carla , Crepin Piirika , De Berardis Domenico , Zamora Delgado Sergio , Lucena David De , Sousa Avinash De , Stefano Ramona Di , Dodd Seetal , Priyanka Elek Livia , Elissa Anna , Erdelyi-Hamza Berta , Erzin Gamze , Etchevers Martin J. , Falkai Peter , Farcas Adriana , Fedotov Ilya , Filatova Viktoriia , Fountoulakis Nikolaos K. , Frankova Iryna , Franza Francesco , Frias Pedro , Galako Tatiana , Garay Cristian J. , Garcia-Álvarez Leticia , García-Portilla Maria Paz , Gonda Xenia , Gondek Tomasz M. , Morera González Daniela , Gould Hilary , Grandinetti Paolo , Grau Arturo , Groudeva Violeta , Hagin Michal , Harada Takayuki , Hasan Tasdik M. , Azreen Hashim Nurul , Hilbig Jan , Hossain Sahadat , Iakimova Rossitza , Ibrahim Mona , Iftene Felicia , Ignatenko Yulia , Irarrazaval Matias , Ismail Zaliha , Ismayilova Jamila , Jakobs Asaf , Jakovljević Miro , Jakšić Nenad , Javed Afzal , Kafali Helin Yilmaz , Karia Sagar , Kazakova Olga , Khalifa Doaa , Khaustova Olena , Koh Steve , Kopishinskaia Svetlana , Kosenko Korneliia , Koupidis Sotirios A. , Kovacs Illes , Kulig Barbara , Lalljee Alisha , Liewig Justine , Majid Abdul , Malashonkova Evgeniia , Malik Khamelia , Malik Najma Iqbal , Mammadzada Gulay , Mandalia Bilvesh , Marazziti Donatella , Marčinko Darko , Martinez Stephanie , Matiekus Eimantas , Mejia Gabriela , Memon Roha Saeed , Meza Martínez Xarah Elenne , Mickevičiūtė Dalia , Milev Roumen , Mohammed Muftau , Molina-López Alejandro , Morozov Petr , Muhammad Nuru Suleiman , Mustač Filip , Naor Mika S. , Nassieb Amira , Navickas Alvydas , Okasha Tarek , Pandova Milena , Panfil Anca-Livia , Panteleeva Liliya , Papava Ion , Patsali Mikaella E. , Pavlichenko Alexey , Pejuskovic Bojana , Pinto Da Costa Mariana , Popkov Mikhail , Popovic Dina , Raduan Nor Jannah Nasution , Vargas Ramírez Francisca , Rancans Elmars , Razali Salmi , Rebok Federico , Rewekant Anna , Ninoska Reyes Flores Elena , Rivera-Encinas María Teresa , Saiz Pilar , Sánchez de Carmona Manuel , Saucedo Martínez David , Saw Jo Anne , Saygili Görkem , Schneidereit Patricia , Shah Bhumika , Shirasaka Tomohiro , Silagadze Ketevan , Sitanggang Satti , Skugarevsky Oleg , Spikina Anna , Mahalingappa Sridevi Sira , Stoyanova Maria , Szczegielniak Anna , Tamasan Simona Claudia , Tavormina Giuseppe , Tavormina Maurilio Giuseppe Maria , Theodorakis Pavlos N. , Tohen Mauricio , Tsapakis Eva Maria , Tukhvatullina Dina , Ullah Irfan , Vaidya Ratnaraj , Vega-Dienstmaier Johann M. , Vrublevska Jelena , Vukovic Olivera , Vysotska Olga , Widiasih Natalia , Yashikhina Anna , Prezerakos Panagiotis E. , Smirnova Daria 
Published: January 2024

Background

The prevalence of medical illnesses is high among patients with psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to investigate multi-comorbidity in patients with psychiatric disorders in comparison to the general population. Secondary aims were to investigate factors associated with metabolic syndrome and treatment appropriateness of mental disorders.

Methods

The sample included 54,826 subjects (64.73% females; 34.15% males; 1.11% nonbinary gender) from 40 countries (COMET-G study). The analysis was based on the registration of previous history that could serve as a fair approximation for the lifetime prevalence of various medical conditions.

Results

About 24.5% reported a history of somatic and 26.14% of mental disorders. Mental disorders were by far the most prevalent group of medical conditions. Comorbidity of any somatic with any mental disorder was reported by 8.21%. One-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients were also suffering from a mental disorder depending on the severity and multicomorbidity. Bipolar and psychotic patients and to a lesser extent depressives, manifested an earlier (15–20 years) manifestation of somatic multicomorbidity, severe disability, and probably earlier death. The overwhelming majority of patients with mental disorders were not receiving treatment or were being treated in a way that was not recommended. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were not related to the development of metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions

The finding that one-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients also suffered from a mental disorder strongly suggests that psychiatry is the field with the most trans-specialty and interdisciplinary value and application points to the importance of teaching psychiatry and mental health in medical schools and also to the need for more technocratically oriented training of psychiatric residents.