Health Economic Evaluation of Schizophrenia Patients with Long-Acting Drugs in Pudong New Area District of Shanghai

Yang Yi; Sun Yiying; Guo Yi; Xia Ying; Lu Ying; Cao Zhicheng; Jiang Tingting; Qu Shumin; Fang Haiping; Sun Xirong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1001-568X.2025.03.0019

Abstract：OBJECTIVE To study the direct and indirect costs and health and function assessment of patients with long-acting drugs and oral drugs to conduct a preliminary health economic evaluation,and provide a theoretical basis for the government to further promote the long-acting drug treatment policy.METHODS A total of 153 patients who participated in long-acting drug treatment in Pudong New Area,Shanghai from 2020 to 2021 and were willing to accept follow-up investigation were selected into the study group,while 300 patients who did not participate in long-acting drug treatment were selected as the control group.The research group and controlled group showed significant differences in treatment rate,disease stability rate,recurrence rate,direct costs,indirect costs,family burden,social function,physical function,and quality of life score compared to the control group.RESULTS There were differences between the long-acting and control groups in medication adherence,quality of life,and treatment satisfaction.The probability of hospitalization decreased from 11.6%to 2.8%,which was lower than 4.2%in the control group.The direct medical expenses decreased from 22.89 yuan to 7.29 yuan,lower than the 14.10 yuan in the control group.The indirect cost loss in the long-acting group and the control group was 4 260.70 yuan per month and 3 923.69 yuan per month,respectively.CONCLUSION The injection-administration of long-acting drugs can improve the compliance of patients under the condition of continuous treatment,so as to effectively prevent recurrence and the use of long-acting drugs and effectively reduce the direct medical expenses of patients.Indirect cost calculation should consider not only the family expenditure but also the collection of data from social support security departments,but the use of long-acting drugs can reduce the burden of family care and guarantee the employment of patients,which will improve the family economic situation of patients with long-acting drugs.