A systematic literature review of six studies describing the economic burden of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia reported a positive association between negative symptoms and increased healthcare resource use and costs, owing to higher inpatient costs, more frequent primary care visits, and lost caregiver workdays.2 However, the authors noted that evidence regarding healthcare costs and resource use associated with negative symptoms is limited because only six eligible studies were identified, and considerable heterogeneity was observed across findings, influenced by differences in patient characteristics, cost components analyzed, and differences in health systems and costs across the countries.2
References:
1.Patel R, Dembek C, Won Y, et al. A real-world data analysis of electronic health records to investigate the associations of predominant negative symptoms with healthcare resource utilisation, costs and treatment patterns among patients with schizophrenia. BMJ Open 2024; 14: e084613.
2.Weber S, Scott JG, Chatterton ML. Healthcare costs and resource use associated with negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a systematic literature review. Schizophr Res 2022; 241: 251–259.
3.Correll CU, Xiang P, Sarikonda K, et al. The economic impact of cognitive impairment and negative symptoms in schizophrenia: a targeted literature review with a focus on outcomes relevant to health care decision-makers in the United States. J Clin Psychiatry 2024; 85: 24r15316.
