Productivity and deadweight losses due to relapses of schizophrenia in Japan

BACKGROUND: No study has examined the financial impact of relapses on schizophrenia from the perspective of Japanese society. This study aimed to estimate the societal costs in Japan caused by the relapses of schizophrenia. METHODS: The societal costs in Japan in 2013 due to relapses of schizophrenia were estimated by summing the productivity loss and deadweight loss caused by schizophrenia relapses in 2013. Deterministic sensitivity analysis was conducted for deadweight loss rate, relapse rate, and patient income. RESULTS: Japan incurred JPY 55,039 million societal costs because of relapses in 2013. This consists of JPY 3,990 million for productivity loss and JPY 51,049 million for deadweight loss. Rate of deadweight loss is the most significant cost driver in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: Relapses of schizophrenia could generate huge amount of societal costs by reducing labor productivity and economic efficiency. To curb these costs, relapse prevention is desired in treating schizophrenia.