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The Predicted Long-Term Benefits of Ensuring Timely Treatment and Medication Adherence in Early Schizophrenia
Marcela Horvitz-Lennon1, Zachary Predmore2,3, Patrick Orr2,4
1RAND Corporation, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 920, Boston, MA, 02116, USA. mhorvitz@rand.org.
Abstract:
The impact of initiatives aimed at reducing time in untreated psychosis during early-stage schizophrenia will be unknown for many years. Thus, we simulate the effect of earlier treatment entry and better antipsychotic drug adherence on schizophrenia-related hospitalizations, receipt of disability benefits, competitive employment, and independent/family living over a ten-year horizon. We predict that earlier treatment entry reduces hospitalizations by 12.6-14.4% and benefit receipt by 7.0-8.5%, while increasing independent/family living by 41.5-46% and employment by 42-58%. We predict larger gains if a pro-adherence intervention is also used. Our findings suggest substantial benefits of timely and consistent early schizophrenia care.
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