Premorbid, psychosocial and clinical predictors of the costs of schizophrenia and other psychoses

Abstract

Several concurrent strategies were recommended, including early intervention programmes and assertive evidence-based rehabilitation and supported employment programmes aimed at reducing disability. The cost-effectiveness of these approaches needs to be evaluated from the perspectives of both government and society.

Predicting costs of mental health care: a critical literature review

“…Regarding the neglect of indirect costs in the studies in this review, with only one study considering indirect costs, it is acknowledged that, methodologically speaking, indirect costs are complex to identify and measure. However, the study by Carr et al (2004) has demonstrated the feasibility of including both direct and indirect costs in a predictive study.…”

“…In five of the studies, older age is a significant predictor of higher costs (Ginsberg et al 1997;Paveza et al 1998;McCrone et al 2001 ;Carr et al 2004 ;Mirandola et al 2004). However, in four of the studies costs are negatively associated with age, that is costs decrease with age (Knapp et al 1990(Knapp et al , 1995McCrone et al 1998;Kilian et al 2002).…”

“…In this review only one study, conducted by Carr et al (2004), considered indirect costs to the government and society in addition to direct mental health costs, that is those costs that are directly related to services provided by statutory health and social care agencies. The other 15 studies focused solely on direct mental health costs.…”

“…The other 15 studies focused solely on direct mental health costs. Carr et al (2004) explored the predictors of direct, indirect and total costs associated with schizophrenia and other psychoses from the perspectives of government and society. The indirect costs fell into two main categories : indirect or time-loss costs, which included transfer payments (e.g.…”

“…Indeed, a significant number of the authors of the reviewed papers acknowledge the exclusion of informal care costs as a limitation, with some authors stating that indirect costs were not included because they are difficult to measure reliably. Certainly the study by Carr et al (2004) has demonstrated the feasibility of including both direct and indirect costs.…”