Patients with schizophrenia have a reduced life expectancy of 20% in comparison to the general population. They have a relative risk of 1.6 for all cause mortality. Recent innovations in antipsychotic treatment have improved the social integration of patients thanks to a better control of symptoms, however undesirable effects of medication may affect physical health.

To develop a consensus document about the Evaluation of Physical Health of Patients with Schizophrenia along their life, and to propose recommendations for diagnostic and clinical interventions to manage modifiable risk factors which impact on quality of life and life expectancy.

A literature review was performed to identify diseases and/or risk factors potentially related to patient with schizophrenia.

A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate the morbid-morbidity of patients with schizophrenia in relation to the identified conditions. 25 psychiatrists and 8 experts from the different specialities participated in the consensus meeting to adapt the general population guidelines to the management of patients with schizophrenia.

The literature review revealed that increased mortality in patients with schizophrenia is associated to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Increased morbidity is associated to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, respiratory diseases, hepatitis, HIV and dyskinesia.

The resulting recommendations were submitted to the Spanish psychiatry medical societies for their validation.

The physical health of patients with schizophrenia requires specific monitoring and follow-up to guarantee that their life expectancy, quality of life and social functioning is similar to the general population.