Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication regimens: Associations with resource use and costs

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral factors are thought to influence resource use and costs in treating schizophrenia.AimsTo assess the relative impact of non-adherence and other factors associated with resource use and costs incurred by people with schizophrenia.MethodSecondary analyses were made of data from a 1994 national survey of psychiatric morbidity among adults living in institutions in the UK. Factors potentially relating to resource use and costs were examined using two-part models.ResultsPatients who failed to adhere to their medication regimen were over one-and-a-halftimes as likely as patients who did adhere to it to report use of in-patient services. Non-adherence is one of the most significant factors in increasing external service costs, by a factor of almost 3. Non-adherence predicted an excess annual cost per patient of approximately $2500 for in-patient services and over $5000 for total service use.ConclusionsResource use and costs are influenced by various factors. Medication non-adherence consistently exhibits an association with higher costs. Further important factors are patient needs and the ability of the system to address them.