Objective:

The aims of this study were to quantify the costs of treatment in patients with schizophrenia and to compare the cost according to the relapse status.

Methods:

A total of 330 patients were consecutively enrolled from 11 hospitals in Korea. Differences in direct medical costs by relapse status in the 6 months were examined.

Results:

The medical cost in patients with relapse was about seven times higher than the cost in patients without relapse. The cost for hospitalization largely accounted for the cost in patients who relapsed. The most common reason for the hospitalization in patients with relapse was poor drug compliance.

Conclusion:

Relapse in patients with schizophrenia significantly increases medical costs in Korea.