title: Adherence and rehospitalizations in patients with schizophrenia: evidence from Japanese claims data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to analyze if there is a relationship between adherence to antipsychotic medication and rehospitalization for patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on Japanese claims data, we constructed three patient groups based on their medication possession ratio (MPR). Controlling for potential confounders, a Cox proportional hazard model was employed to assess if medication adherence affects the risk of rehospitalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with good adherence (MPRs from 0.8-1.1) had the lowest rates of admission. Both poor adherence (MPRs <0.8) and overadherence (MPRs >1.1) were associated with a significant higher risk of rehospitalization with hazard ratios of 4.7 and 2.0, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study support the notion that good adherence to antipsychotic medication reduces the risk of rehospitalization of schizophrenia patients. Appropriate measures should be taken to improve adherence of schizophrenia patients.
authors.affiliation: Health Economics, Janssen KK, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuwabara
authors.affiliation: Health Economics, Janssen KK, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshimichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Health Economics, Janssen KK, Tokyo, Japan ; Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mahlich
keywords: Japan; adherence; claims data; hospitalizations; schizophrenia