Schizophrenia in Hawaii: analysis of cohort mortality risk in a multi-ethnic population.

Schizophrenic patients in treatment with the Hawaii state system have been followed from 1962 to 1972. This cohort includes 1,689 persons: out-patients as well as in-patients; of Japanese, Caucasian, part-Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese and other ancestries. After ten years, 60 per cent remain registered with the Hawaii Mental Health Division; 14 per cent are found living in the state; 12 per cent are lost to follow-up; and 14 per cent have died. Mortality is analysed for all causes by comparison with similar ethnic and sex sub-groups of the general population.