SOS compared during 2 years medical costs in Belgian out-patients with schizophrenia.

Patients older than 18 and stabilized with haloperidol(H), olanzapine(O) or risperidone(R) monotherapy entered this observational study at discharge from the hospital.

Of 323 patients included, 68% (219/323) completed the study (H59% (19/32), O66% (99/149), R71% (101/142)). In the R group were more first episode patients (H6%, O17%, R27%). H patients were more chronic with more previous hospitalizations.

Treatment continuation (no drop out, without medication change or addition) was 31%(H), 50%(O) and 43%(R). The mean dosages were H 8.9 (±9.6), O 14 (±6) and R 4.2 (±1.9) mg/day. Two years medical costs were H 30484 (± 36332), O 20897 (± 27863), R 20916 (± 31776) (NS)

The CGI improved during the first 3 months and then remained stable. The percentage of patients with at least 1 EPS at the last visit was: H66%, O35% and R39% (p=0.005) and at least 1 sexual/reproductive problem was H69%, O40%, R44% (p=0.013). Weight gain was H 0.53 ± 5.0, O 3.3 ± 8.3 and R 3.2 ± 8.4 kg.

Even in this group of stabilized patients, treatment continuation was poor: in only 1 out of 3 haloperidol patients, treatment was not changed during the 2 years follow up. The fewest treatment change was in the olanzapine group (1 out of 2). Treatment cost was not significantly higher in the haloperidol group and similar in olanzapine and risperidone group as hospitalization was the main cost driver.