Abstract
- Investigated whether clozapine is a cost-effective treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Data were collected on 96 treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia for 2 yrs before they entered a clozapine treatment study and for at least 2 yrs after they entered the study. Information about the cost of inpatient and outpatient treatment, housing costs, other costs, and family burden through direct interview or questionnaire of these Ss and their families was available for 47 of the 96 Ss. Data on lost income and Social Security disability insurance were also obtained. Outcome measures included psychopathology, quality of life, global functioning, work function, and rehospitalization. The cost of treatment was significantly decreased in Ss who continued clozapine treatment for at least 2 yrs. This was primarily due to a dramatic decrease in the frequency and cost of rehospitalization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
