Association of Specific Mental Disorders With Premature Mortality in the Danish Population Using Alternative Measurement Methods

Key Points Question Are specific types of mental disorders associated with premature mortality that can be quantified using alternative measurement approaches? Findings In this population-based cohort study of 6.9 million individuals with and without mental disorders in Denmark, male and female persons diagnosed with any mental disorder had life expectancies of that were 11.2 years and 7.9 years shorter, respectively, compared with the general Danish population. Drug use disorders were associated with the highest rates of excess years of life lost; however, common mental disorders, such as depressive and anxiety disorders, were also associated with substantial premature mortality. Meaning The finding that mental disorders are associated with reductions in life expectancy can provide a foundation for future intervention programs designed to reduce the differential mortality gap associated with mental disorders.