| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the direct medical cost of atypical antipsychotic therapy for schizophrenia among Hong Kong Chinese patients and to identify factors affecting the cost of treatment. METHODS: In this retrospective database analysis, patient data were retrieved from three Hong Kong public hospitals. Patients aged 2 18 years who received an initial prescription for olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine or amisulpride between April 1 and September 30, 2003; and had an ICD-10-coded diagnosis of schizophrenia were included. Patient data were collected for a maximum duration of 1 year before and after treatment initiation. Primary outcome measures were the schizophrenia-related direct medical costs. Demographic and clinical factors were analyzed by multiple regression analysis to identify influential factors for the cost of atypical antipsychotic therapy. RESULTS: A total of 325 patient records were reviewed and 82 patients were included in the analysis. Cost per patient per month for clinic visits (US$ 67 +/- 41 versus US$ 78 +/- 41), medications (US$ 8 +/- 12 versus US$ 97 +/- 83), and the total cost per patient per month (US$ 314 +/- 898 versus US$ 431 +/- 914) increased significantly after treatment initiation (US$ 1 = HK$ 7.8). Previous duration of hospitalization (RR = 1.00, 95% CI = 1.00 1.01), history of substance abuse (RR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05 1.52) and use of depot antipsychotics (RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.05 - 1.42) were associated with higher cost of atypical antipsychotic therapy. CONCLUSION: The total direct medical cost increased significantly after initiation of atypical antipsychotic therapy in a cohort of Chinese patients with schizophrenia. History of drug abuse, use of depot antipsychotics and prior duration of hospitalization were positive predictors of cost of therapy. |
| Authors | W L Law, H Y Hui, W M Young, J H S You
(Affiliation: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong SAR.)
|
| Journal | International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
(Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther)
Vol. 45
Issue 5
Pg. 264-70
(May 2007)
ISSN: 0946-1965 Germany |
| PMID | 17542348
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Antipsychotic Agents
- Delayed-Action Preparations
- Dibenzothiazepines
- quetiapine
- Risperidone
- Benzodiazepines
- olanzapine
- Sulpiride
- sultopride
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Antipsychotic Agents
(adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use)
- Benzodiazepines
(adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use)
- China
- Cost of Illness
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Databases, Factual
- Delayed-Action Preparations
- Dibenzothiazepines
(adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use)
- Female
- Health Care Costs
- Hong Kong
- Hospitalization
- Humans
- Male
- Medical Records
- Middle Aged
- Regression Analysis
- Retrospective Studies
- Risperidone
(adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use)
- Schizophrenia
(drug therapy, economics)
- Substance-Related Disorders
(complications)
- Sulpiride
(adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, economics, therapeutic use)
|
