To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and hospitalizations, quality of life and satisfaction with life among patients with schizophrenia.

A point-in-time survey was conducted between July and October 2019 via the Adelphi Schizophrenia Disease Specific Programme across the USA. Patients were stratified as mild or severe based on the level of cognitive impairment reported by their psychiatrist (normal, mild = mild; moderate, severe, very severe = severe). Multiple regression analysis was used to model the association between cognitive impairment and outcomes, adjusting for baseline characteristics.

Data were provided by 124 psychiatrists for 651 mildly and 484 severely impaired patients with schizophrenia; PSCs were completed by 349 mildly and 206 severely impaired patients. Severe cognitive impairment was associated with increased odds of hospitalization due to schizophrenia relapse since diagnosis (2.10 odds ratio [OR], P = .004) and within 12 months (1.95 OR, P < .001) compared to mild impairment. Moreover, patients with severe cognitive impairment had poorer quality of life according to the EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-5D) Health Index (−0.085 coefficient, P < .001) and EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (−6.24 coefficient, P = .041) compared to patients with mild cognitive impairment. Severe cognitive impairment was also associated with lower overall life satisfaction according to the Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (−8.13 coefficient, P = .006) compared to mild cognitive impairment.

Schizophrenia patients with severe cognitive impairment had more hospitalizations due to relapse than patients with mild cognitive impairment. Additionally, patients with severe cognitive impairment had significantly lower quality of life and overall satisfaction with life compared to patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals

Schizophrenia-related, health, social, and fiscal consequences are substantial, affecting patients, caregivers, and society. The incidence of health, social, and fiscal outcomes are frequently reported for the overall schizophrenia population, not stratified by remission or relapse status.

This study aimed to assess healthcare resource use, employment status, and housing circumstances for patients with schizophrenia in remission or relapse, compared to the overall schizophrenia population.

The Adelphi Schizophrenia Disease Specific Programme was a point-in-time survey conducted across the USA between July and October 2019. Remission was defined using Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) score of 1-3 (stable), with relapse defined as a CGI-S score of 4-7 (unstable). Outcome-specific rate ratios were calculated by dividing the cumulative incidence for those in remission or relapse by the cumulative incidence of the overall schizophrenia population. Ratios greater than 1 indicate a higher probability of the event.

Psychiatrists (n = 124) provided data for 409 patients in remission and 609 patients in relapse. Patients with schizophrenia in remission were more likely to be employed (1.66, 95% confidence interval [1.46-1.90]) and to live with a partner or family (1.08 [1.01-1.17]) compared to the overall schizophrenia population, whereas patients in relapse were more likely to experience hospitalizations in the previous 12 months (1.34 [1.19-1.15]), disability-related unemployment (1.38 [1.25-1.51]), sick leave absences (1.23 [0.66-2.31]), need to support housing (1.39 [1.08-1.79]), and homelessness (1.47 [0.95-2.27]).

Schizophrenia patients in relapse were more likely to experience hospitalizations, unemployment, and have unfavorable housing circumstances compared to the overall schizophrenia population. Identifying patients at risk of relapse may aid physicians in targeting interventional support, thereby reducing the burden of schizophrenia.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals

Schizophrenia is associated with health, social, and financial burdens for patients, caregivers, and society. Major systemic changes, reforms, and technological advances have happened in the USA since the prior estimate of the societal cost of schizophrenia, $155.7B in 2013. This study analyzes the most recent data and literature to update this estimate.

Direct and indirect costs associated with schizophrenia in the US in 2019 were estimated using a prevalence-based approach (ICD-10 codes: F20, F25). Direct healthcare costs were assessed retrospectively using a matched cohort design in the IBM Watson Health MarketScan Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid databases from October 1, 2015, through December 31, 2019. Patients were matched to controls on demographics, insurance type, and index year. Direct nonhealthcare costs were estimated using published literature and government data. Indirect costs were estimated using a human capital approach and the value of quality-adjusted life years lost. Cost offsets were applied to account for basic living costs avoided. Excess costs, comparing costs for individuals with and without schizophrenia, were reported in 2019 USD.

The estimated excess economic burden of schizophrenia in the US in 2019 was $330.6B, including $62.3B in direct healthcare costs (19%), $19.7B in direct nonhealthcare costs (5%), and $251.9B in excess indirect costs (76%). The largest drivers of indirect costs were caregiving ($112.3B), premature mortality ($77.9B), and unemployment ($54.2B).

The estimated societal burden of schizophrenia in the USA in 2019 was $330.6B, which represented a 93.5% increase from 2013 to 2019, after accounting for inflation. This study underscores the increasing and apparent burden of schizophrenia not only on the patient, but also on caregivers and society.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals

To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and hospitalizations, quality of life and satisfaction with life among patients with schizophrenia.

A point-in-time survey was conducted between July and October 2019 via the Adelphi Schizophrenia Disease Specific Programme across the United States of America. Patients were stratified as mild or severe based on the level of cognitive impairment reported by their psychiatrist (normal, mild = mild; moderate, severe, very severe = severe). Multiple regression analysis was used to model the association between cognitive impairment and outcomes, adjusting for baseline characteristics.

Data were provided by 124 psychiatrists for 651 mildly and 484 severely impaired patients with schizophrenia; PSCs were completed by 349 mildly and 206 severely impaired patients. Severe cognitive impairment was associated with increased odds of hospitalization due to schizophrenia relapse since diagnosis (2.10 odds ratio [OR], P = .004) and within 12 months (1.95 OR, P < .001) compared to mild impairment. Moreover, patients with severe cognitive impairment had poorer quality of life according to the EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-5D) Health Index (−0.085 coefficient, P < .001) and EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (−6.24 coefficient, P = .041) compared to patients with mild cognitive impairment. Severe cognitive impairment was also associated with lower overall life satisfaction according to the Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (−8.13 coefficient, P = .006) compared to mild cognitive impairment.

Schizophrenia patients with severe cognitive impairment had more hospitalizations due to relapse than patients with mild cognitive impairment. Additionally, patients with severe cognitive impairment had significantly lower quality of life and overall satisfaction with life compared to patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) affect 15% to 30% of patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics and have been associated with poor patient outcomes.

To examine the incidence and economic burden of EPS in patients with schizophrenia initiating treatment with atypical antipsychotics (AAPs).

Patients with schizophrenia newly initiating AAPs with no prior EPS were identified in the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental database from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018. Incidence of EPS (new diagnosis or medication) was assessed in the year following AAP initiation. Patients were classified as developing (EPS cohort) or not developing (non-EPS cohort) EPS. All-cause and schizophrenia-related healthcare resource use and costs were compared between cohorts over the year following the first EPS claim (EPS) or randomly assigned index date (non-EPS). Multivariate models were developed for total healthcare costs and inpatient admissions.

A total of 3558 patients qualified for the study; 22.1% developed EPS in the year following AAP initiation (incidence: 26.9 cases/100-person-years). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that EPS patients had a 34% higher odds of all-cause (OR:1.3361, 95% CI:1.0770-1.6575, P < .01) and 84% increased odds of schizophrenia-related (OR:1.8436, 95% CI:1.0434-2.4219, P < .0001) inpatient admissions, as well as significantly higher all-cause (EPS: $26,632 vs non-EPS: $21,273, P < .001) and schizophrenia-related (EPS: $9018 vs non-EPS: $4475, P < .0001) total costs compared to the non-EPS cohort.

Approximately 20% of patients developed EPS in the year following AAP initiation. The significant increases in healthcare resource utilization and costs in the EPS cohorts highlight the need for treatments that effectively target schizophrenia symptoms while reducing the risk of EPS.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), including movement disorders, tremors, and muscle contractions are common side effects of atypical antipsychotic (AAP) drugs in patients with schizophrenia. This study examined the incidence and burden of EPS in patients with schizophrenia initiating AAPs.

Patients with schizophrenia initiating AAPs with no prior EPS were identified in the MarketScan Multi-state Medicaid database from 1/1/2012-12/31/2018. Incidence of EPS (identified via ICD-9/ICD-10 diagnoses and medications) was assessed during the 12-months following AAP initiation. Cohorts with and without EPS were defined. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and healthcare resource use and costs over 12 months following the first EPS claim (EPS) or randomly assigned index date (Non-EPS) were assessed.

A total of 11,642 patients with schizophrenia were identified; 21.2% developed EPS in the 12-months following AAP initiation. EPS and Non-EPS cohorts included 2,295 (mean age 38, 61% male, CCI 0.6) and 5,607 (mean age 39, 57% male, CCI 0.7) patients, respectively. Over the 12-month post-index period, EPS cohort had significantly higher rates of all-cause (30.2% vs. 24.6%, p<0.001) and schizophrenia-related hospitalizations (22.5% vs. 12.9%, p<0.001) and schizophrenia-related emergency room visits (25.5% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001) compared to Non-EPS cohort. All-cause ($25,911 vs. $21,550, p<0.001) and schizophrenia-related healthcare costs ($12,134 vs. $6,230, p<0.001) were significantly higher in EPS vs. Non-EPS cohort.

In the 12 months following AAP initiation, over 20% of schizophrenia patients developed EPS, which was associated with increased healthcare resource utilization and costs. Treatment options that minimize EPS may reduce the economic burden of schizophrenia.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

To compare the risk of hospitalization for adult Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar I disorder (BPD-I) when treated with lurasidone compared to other atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) as monotherapy.

Using IBM MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid Claims database, a retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult BPD-I patients who initiated an AAP (index date) between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2019. Patients were required to be continuously enrolled during the 12-month pre- and 24-month post-index date. Marginal structural models were performed to estimate the risk of hospitalization (all-cause, BPD-I-related, and psychiatric-related) associated with each AAP and the average length of stay.

The analysis included 8262 adult BPD-I patients, of whom AAP use was divided between lurasidone (14%), aripiprazole (17%), olanzapine (8%), quetiapine (29%), risperidone (10%), no/minimal (1%) or other (21%) during each month of post-index period. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for all-cause hospitalization were significantly higher for olanzapine (aOR=1.60, 95% CI=1.09–2.10) and quetiapine (aOR=1.54, 95% CI=1.18–1.89), compared to lurasidone. The aORs for BPD-I-related hospitalization were significantly higher for quetiapine (aOR=1.57, 95% CI=1.10–2.04) and risperidone (aOR=1.80, 95% CI=1.04–2.56) compared to lurasidone. The average length of hospital stay was more than twice as high for quetiapine compared to lurasidone (aRR=2.12, 95% CI=1.32–2.92). The risk of psychiatric-related hospitalization was numerically lower for lurasidone compared to all other AAPs.

Over a 24-month follow-up period, lurasidone-treated adult BPD-1 patients had significantly lower risk of all-cause hospitalization than those treated with olanzapine and quetiapine, lower risk of BPD-I-related hospitalization than quetiapine and risperidone, and fewer hospital days than quetiapine in a Medicaid population.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) service model is associated with significant reductions in wait times and improved clinical outcomes for emerging adults with recent-onset eating disorders. An understanding of how FREED is implemented is a necessary precondition to enable an attribution of these findings to key components of the model, namely the wait-time targets and care package.

This study evaluated fidelity to the FREED service model during the multicentre FREED-Up study.

Participants were 259 emerging adults (aged 16–25 years) with an eating disorder of <3 years duration, offered treatment through the FREED care pathway. Patient journey records documented patient care from screening to end of treatment. Adherence to wait-time targets (engagement call within 48 h, assessment within 2 weeks, treatment within 4 weeks) and care package, and differences in adherence across diagnosis and treatment group were examined.

There were significant increases (16–40%) in adherence to the wait-time targets following the introduction of FREED, irrespective of diagnosis. Receiving FREED under optimal conditions also increased adherence to the targets. Care package use differed by component and diagnosis. The most used care package activities were psychoeducation and dietary change. Attention to transitions was less well used.

This study provides an indication of adherence levels to key components of the FREED model. These adherence rates can tentatively be considered as clinically meaningful thresholds. Results highlight aspects of the model and its implementation that warrant future examination.

• • Be confident in diagnosing individuals with anorexia nervosa and identify when urgent in-patient medical treatment is required

• • Be confident in assessing and managing physical risk in individuals with anorexia nervosa

• • Be aware of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ MARSIPAN report and its implications for the management of individuals with eating disorders in medical settings

None.