Objectives To compare the mortality in those previously hospitalised for mental disorder in Scotland to that experienced by the general population.

Design Population-based historical cohort study using routinely available psychiatric hospital discharge and death records.

Setting All Scotland.

Participants Individuals with a first hospital admission for mental disorder between 1986 and 2009 who had died by 31 December 2010 (34 243 individuals).

Outcomes The main outcome measure was death from any cause, 1986–2010. Excess mortality was presented as standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and years of life lost (YLL). Excess mortality was assessed overall and by age, sex, main psychiatric diagnosis, whether the psychiatric diagnosis was ‘complicated’ (ie, additional mental or physical ill-health diagnoses present), cause of death and time period of first admission.

Results 111 504 people were included in the study, and 34 243 had died by 31 December 2010. The average reduction in life expectancy for the whole cohort was 17 years, with eating disorders (39-year reduction) and ‘complicated’ personality disorders (27.5-year reduction) being worst affected. ‘Natural’ causes of death such as cardiovascular disease showed modestly elevated relative risk (SMR1.7), but accounted for 67% of all deaths and 54% of the total burden of YLL. Non-natural deaths such as suicide showed higher relative risk (SMR5.2) and tended to occur at a younger age, but were less common overall (11% of all deaths and 22% of all YLL). Having a ‘complicated’ diagnosis tended to elevate the risk of early death. No worsening of the overall excess mortality experienced by individuals with previous psychiatric admission over time was observed.

Conclusions Early death for those hospitalised with mental disorder is common, and represents a significant inequality even in well-developed healthcare systems. Prevention of suicide and cardiovascular disease deserves particular attention in the mentally disordered.