Psychotic experiences and physical health conditions in the United States

Abstract

Aims: Psychotic experiences are associated with physical health conditions, though the associations have not always been consistent in the literature. The current study examines the associations between psychotic experiences and several physical health conditions across four racial groups in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys to examine the associations between psychotic experiences and physical health conditions across four racial groups (White, Black, Asian, Latino). We used multivariable logistic regression to calculated adjusted odds ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals.

Results: Psychotic experiences were significantly associated with several physical health conditions depending on the condition and the racial group being examined. Further, the number of physical health conditions was associated with increasingly greater risk for psychotic experiences in a linear fashion.

Conclusions: Psychotic experiences may serve as useful markers for physical health conditions and overall physical health status. Future studies should examine the underlying mechanisms between psychotic experiences and health, and explore the clinical utility of psychotic experiences for preventive interventions.

Keywords: Multimorbidity; Psychotic experience; Race.