This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Related articles in BJP
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Carr, V. J.
Right arrow Articles by Holmes, S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Carr, V. J.
Right arrow Articles by Holmes, S.
The British Journal of Psychiatry (2004) 184: 517-525
© 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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

Vaughan J. Carr, FRANZCP and Terry J. Lewin, BCom(Psych) Hons

Centre for Mental Health Studies, University of Newcastle and Hunter Area Health Service

Amanda L. Neil, Grad Dip (Ec)

Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle

Sean A. Halpin, BA(Psych) Hons

Centre for Mental Health Studies, University of Newcastle and Hunter Area Health Service

Scott Holmes, PhD

Graduate School, University of Newcastle, Australia

Correspondence: Professor Vaughan J. Carr,Centre for Mental Health Studies, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.Tel: 61 2 49246610; fax: 61 2 49246608; e-mail: fax: Vaughan.Carr{at}hunter.health.nsw.gov.au.

Declaration of interest None.

Background Predictors of the costs of psychosis have received insufficient research attention, particularly factors associated with indirect costs.

Aims To identify the predictors of direct mental health care costs and indirect or time-loss costs in psychotic disorders and to discuss their implications for future interventions.

Method Structured interview data from the Low Prevalence Disorders Study (n=980) were used to examine predictors of the costs of psychosis in Australia. Estimates of annual costs per patient were derived from the perspectives of government and society. Hierarchical regressions were used to assess the contributions to costs of premorbid, psychosocial and clinical factors.

Results Schizophrenia involved greater costs than other psychotic disorders. Non-completion of high-school education and chronicity of illness course were predictive of higher costs across all categories, and some factors were linked primarily with mental health care costs (e.g. age at onset, current symptomatology) or indirect costs (e.g. male gender, overall disability).

Conclusions 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.


Related articles in BJP:

Highlights of this issue

BJP 2004 184: 465-a23. [Full Text]  



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Br. J. PsychiatryHome page
I. Kooyman, K. Dean, S. Harvey, and E. Walsh
Outcomes of public concern in schizophrenia
The British Journal of Psychiatry, August 1, 2007; 191(50): s29 - s36.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]