J Korean Med Sci.  2008 Apr;23(2):167-175. 10.3346/jkms.2008.23.2.167.

Economic Burden of Schizophrenia in South Korea

• Chang SM
• Cho SJ
• Jeon HJ
• Hahm BJ
• Lee HJ
• Park JI
• Cho MJ

• KMID: 1713445
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2008.23.2.167

Abstract

This study estimates the treated prevalence of schizophrenia and the annual costs associated with the illness in Korea in 2005, from a societal perspective. Annual direct healthcare costs associated with schizophrenia were estimated from National Health Insurance and Medical Aid records. Annual direct non-healthcare costs were estimated for incarceration, transport, community mental health centers, and institutions related to schizophrenia. Annual indirect costs were estimated for the following components of productivity loss due to illness: unemployment, reduced productivity, premature mortality, and caregivers' productivity loss using a human capital approach based on market wages. All costs were adjusted to 2005 levels using the healthcare component of the Consumer Price Index. The treated prevalence of schizophrenia in 2005 was 0.4% of the Korean population. The overall cost of schizophrenia was estimated to be $ 3,174.8 million (3,251.0 billion Won), which included a direct healthcare cost of $ 418.7 million (428.6 billion Won). Total direct non-healthcare costs were estimated to be $ 121 million (123.9 billion Won), and total indirect costs were estimated at $ 2,635.1 million (2,698.3 billion Won). Unemployment was identified as the largest component of overall cost. These findings demonstrate that schizophrenia is not rare, and that represents a substantial economic burden.

Keyword

Schizophrenia; Cost of Illness; Prevalence; Direct Cost; Indirect Cost

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Cost of Illness
Female
Health Care Costs
Health Expenditures
Humans
Korea
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Economic
Models, Theoretical
Prevalence
Schizophrenia/*economics/*therapy
Sensitivity and Specificity

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Direct costs for patients with schizophrenia in South Korea ($ 539.7 million).

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  Fig. 2 Indirect costs for patients with schizophrenia in South Korea ($ 2,635.1 million).

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