Cost of the Illness of Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: A Mirror Image Study Comparing Clozapine With Other Antipsychotics. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verma, Meha; Grover, Sandeep; Chakrabarti, Subho
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychopharmacology. Volume 41:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: cost of illness -- schizophrenia -- treatment resistance -- clozapine; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacologie -- Périodiques; Psychopharmacology; Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001332
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-0749

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose/Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the cost of illness in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) during 3 months before starting clozapine and for the initial 3 months of treatment with clozapine. Methods/Procedures: Fifty-two patients with TRS were evaluated for the cost of illness (direct, indirect, and provider cost) by using a structured questionnaire for the period of 3 months before starting clozapine and then at the end of the 3 months of clozapine therapy. Findings/Results: Total treatment cost for the period of 3 months before starting clozapine was Indian rupees (INR) 40, 372 (560.72 US dollars), and the total treatment cost for the first 3 months of clozapine therapy was INR 40, 553 (563.23 US dollars). At both the assessments, indirect cost formed the main bulk of the total cost, with no significant difference in the indirect cost. The total direct treatment cost reduced from INR 13, 931.6 (193.49 US dollars) to INR 8756 (121.61 US dollars), and the difference between the 2 assessments was statistically significant, with an advantage for clozapine. Overall, after starting clozapine, the total direct cost reduced from 34.5% to 21.6%, and the total indirect cost reduced from 54.3% to 40.2%. After starting clozapine, total provider cost increased from 11.2% to 38.2% of the totalcost. Implications/Conclusions: Treatment with clozapine is not associated with a significant increase in the overall treatment cost, in the short term. However, there is a significant reduction in direct treatment costs.