Citation

Duggan A, Warner J, Knapp M, Kerwin R. Br. J. Psychiatry 2003; 182: 505-508.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.182.6.505

PMID

12777341

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a major cause of suicide, and symptoms characteristic of treatment-resistant disease are strong risk factors. Clozapine reduces symptoms in 60% of such patients and significantly decreases the risk of suicide.
AIMS: To model the impact of increased clozapine prescribing on lives saved and resource utilisation.
METHOD: A model was built to compare current levels of clozapine prescribing with a scenario in which all suitable patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia received clozapine.
RESULTS: It was estimated that an average of 53 lives could be saved in the UK each year. If clozapine is cost-neutral, the cost per life-year saved is pound 5108. If clozapine achieves a 10% reduction in annual support costs, the net saving is pound 8.7 million per annum. An average of 167 acute beds would be freed each year.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia saves lives, frees resources and is cost-effective.

Language: en

Keywords

Antipsychotic Agents; Clozapine; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Health Resources; Hospitalization; Humans; Life Tables; Models, Statistical; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Suicide; Suicide Prevention; United Kingdom