A retrospective cohort of 255,448 Queensland adults admitted with a principal psychiatric diagnosis, 2009-2023, excluding dementia, using linked hospital and death registry data. Life-table gaps at age 18 fell from 16·7 to 12·1 years in males and from 13·4 to 9·4 years in females. All-cause standardised mortality ratios fell from 3·12 to 2·10 in males and 2·35 to 1·73 in females. No significant narrowing occurred for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders in either sex. Excess mortality from physical health causes was 440·0 per 100,000 person-years in males, against 163·7 for intentional self-harm. Only hospitalised patients were included, so illness managed in the community is not covered.
Why it is interesting: A recent Australian read on whether the psychiatric mortality gap is closing. Physical illness, not suicide, dominates the excess in absolute terms.
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