[Economic comparison of olanzapine versus haloperidol in treatment of schizophrenia in France].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to provide an economic comparison of olanzapine-treated and haloperidol-treated patients from the subset of French patients who participated in a large, international, randomised clinical trial in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Patients were evaluated from randomisation until discontinuation, drop out or completion of the 52-week study. The primary clinical measure was "clinically important response" (derived from BPRS total scores). The secondary measure was "clinically important improvement" (derived from CGI severity of illness scores). The primary economic measure was mean per diem, per patient total direct medical costs.


RESULTS
A total of 275 French patients where included in the study. Demographics and other baseline differences between olanzapine- and haloperidol-treated patients were not statistically significant. Olanzapine-treated patients (205 +/- 142 days) experienced significantly (p < 0.001) longer evaluation periods than haloperidol-treated patients (132 +/- 129 days). Olanzapine-treated patients (54%) were significantly (p = 0.03) more likely to experience a clinically important response than haloperidol-treated patients (40%). Olanzapine-treated patients (69%) were significantly (p = 0.02) more likely to experience clinically important improvement than haloperidol-treated patients (54%). The mean per diem, per patient total direct medical cost was statistically lower (p = 0.033) for olanzapine-treated patients (FF619 +/- 509) compared to haloperidol-treated patients (FF756 +/- 478).


CONCLUSIONS
Olanzapine treatment was associated with significantly better clinical outcomes and per diem total direct medical cost than haloperidol treatment. The findings indicate that olanzapine is dominant compared to haloperidol for the treatment of schizophrenia, in the context of analysed data. These findings produce increased relevance in France to the existing evidence supporting olanzapine's cost and effectiveness profiles.
Le Pen
C
C
CLP-Santé, Paris.
Lilliu
H
H
Allicar
M P
MP
Olivier
V
V
Gregor
K J
KJ
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics*; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D006220:Haloperidol; D000077152:Olanzapine