Economic Burden of Schizophrenia: Based on Medical Insurance Database from Guangzhou

Objective: To evaluate the disease burden of schizophrenia in cities of China based on societal perspective. Methods:2010—2012 databases from Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance(UEBMI), Urban Residents Basic Medical Insurance(URBMI) in Guangzhou and disability adjusted life year(DALY) were used to estimate direct economic cost and indirect economic cost caused by schizophrenia. Results: From 2010 to 2012, Guangzhou's direct costs of schizophrenia were 95.69 million RMB, 168.62 million RMB and 197.70 million RMB; 2010—2012 indirect costs of schizophrenia were 1 096.68 million RMB, 1 201.89 million RMB and 1375.08 million RMB. The rate for Direct economical loss and indirect economical loss equaled 1:8.5. The direct cost and indirect cost caused by schizophrenia in Guangzhou were increasing. Medical cost from inpatients and people with UEBMI are the main component of direct economic burden. Conclusion: Caused by schizophrenia, serious economic cost increased sharply. Indirect economic cost of schizophrenia was higher than its direct economic cost.