title: Systematic review of the economic aspects of nonadherence to antipsychotic medication in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is strong evidence supporting the link between nonadherence to antipsychotic medication and relapse of schizophrenia. However, less obvious are the economic consequences of nonadherence. The systematic review reported here evaluated the economic aspects of nonadherence to antipsychotic medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of scientific papers in the PubMed MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, BIOSIS, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews databases was undertaken. Studies that measured adherence to antipsychotic medication and that provided comparative information on health care costs were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. All were observational. Despite the differences between the studies in terms of design, adherence measures, and cost components analyzed, the results of this systematic review indicate that nonadherence to antipsychotic medication is associated with increased hospitalization rates and resource utilization, resulting in increased direct health care costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonadherence to antipsychotic medication results in poor health and economic outcomes; therefore, the authors suggest endorsing interventions aimed at improving adherence because they can improve patient health without substantially increasing costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research and Development, Lilly, S.A. Alcobendas, Spain.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dilla
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciudad
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarez
keywords: adherence; costs; hospitalization rates; observational study; resource utilization