People with schizophrenia are more likely to develop COPD

People with schizophrenia are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting a possible syndemic relationship between the two diseases, in addition to people not seeking appropriate medical care. A new article examining the link between COPD and schizophrenia appears in the July 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.

COPD encompasses conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is caused by irritants like smoke or pollution, and even genetics. There are an estimated 30 million Americans effected by COPD, yet only half of those people know they have the disease.

Studies have shown that people with schizophrenia have higher rates of tobacco smoking, leading to an increased risk of developing COPD. However, there is a higher prevalence of COPD in people with schizophrenia after adjusting for smoking, suggesting that the link may also be syndemic-the result of shared socioeconomic, genetic, and environmental risk factors.

People with schizophrenia are less likely to receive adequate general medical care, leading to an under-diagnosis of COPD. COPD symptoms are often viewed as psychosomatic in people with schizophrenia. Studies have also shown that some antipsychotic medications impact respiratory health, including an increased risk of pneumonia.

People with schizophrenia are less likely to use primary and preventative services or seek help for medical concerns. They also tend to prioritize mental health issues over physical illnesses. We need to ensure primary care providers are aware that people with schizophrenia are at higher risk of developing COPD. Patients should have regular physical health checks, and those with schizophrenia and COPD should be offered comprehensive care. Developing integrated care services and avoiding stigma could make a significant difference to outcomes, including survival, in this disadvantaged group of patients."

Professor David M.G. Halpin, MBBS, DPhil, FRCP, professor of respiratory medicine at University of Exeter