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Key message: Relapse and treatment-emergent adverse effects (such as weight gain and hyperprolactinemia) have substantial impact on patient quality of life.
Background
- The impact of schizophrenia, treatments for schizophrenia, and treatment-related adverse events on patients with schizophrenia were assessed using health state descriptions and a time trade-off instrument.
- Health state descriptions for stable schizophrenia, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), hyperprolactinemia, diabetes, weight gain, and relapse were developed, based on a review of the literature and expert opinion.
- The quality of life impact of each health state was elicited using a time trade-off instrument administered by interview to 49 stable patients with schizophrenia and 75 healthy volunteers.
- Regression techniques were employed to examine the importance of subject characteristics on health-related utility scores.
- Clinical vignettes were used to obtain feedback on the impact of various treatment-related adverse events on patient quality of life.
- Stable schizophrenia was the base case, and each of the other clinical situations demonstrated a decrease in patient feelings on overall quality of life.
- Each of the treatment-related adverse events and relapse showed decreasing utility, from weight gain (lowest impact on quality of life) to relapse (highest impact on quality of life).
Reference:
Briggs A, et al. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2008; 6: 105.