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Risperidone compared with olanzapine in a naturalistic clinical study: a cost analysis
David M Taylor1, Tim Wright, Susan E Libretto
1Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK. david.taylor@slam.nhs.uk
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|May 21, 2003
Summary
Risperidone and olanzapine showed similar clinical effectiveness in schizophrenia patients. However, risperidone treatment resulted in significantly lower inpatient drug costs and shorter hospital stays compared to olanzapine.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Risperidone and olanzapine are atypical antipsychotics with presumed similar clinical efficacy.
- A cost-effectiveness analysis was warranted to compare these agents in a real-world clinical setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the costs and clinical outcomes of risperidone versus olanzapine treatment in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
- To evaluate drug treatment expenses and patient recovery metrics in a naturalistic hospital environment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records and prescriptions for 501 patients in the RODOS-UK program.
- Data collection focused on inpatient drug costs, clinical effectiveness, and time to discharge.
- Analysis conducted on data verified between June and September 2000.
Main Results:
- Clinical outcomes were comparable between risperidone and olanzapine groups.
- Risperidone treatment was associated with a significantly shorter time to onset of effectiveness (17.6 vs. 22.4 days) and fewer hospital days (49 vs. 58 days).
- Mean daily inpatient drug costs were substantially lower for risperidone (£3.92 vs. £5.63), leading to lower total drug expenditures.
Conclusions:
- Risperidone and olanzapine demonstrate similar clinical outcomes in hospitalized schizophrenia patients.
- Risperidone use is linked to significantly reduced drug treatment costs and shorter hospitalizations, suggesting a more cost-effective treatment option.