Characteristics and Healthcare Burden of Patients With Schizophrenia Treated in a United States Integrated Healthcare System
Objective: Limited data are available on patient characteristics and healthcare burden of schizophrenia in a healthcare system. This analysis examined the characteristics and healthcare burden of adults with schizophrenia treated in a large integrated healthcare system in the US.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Atrium Health electronic medical records. Schizophrenia was defined as ≥ 2 ICD-9/10-CM diagnoses within 12 months of the study period (01/2009 – 06/2018). Patients were required to have received active care, defined as ≥ 1 encounter within the system every six months, at least 12 months before and after the index date (earliest schizophrenia diagnosis). Patients were followed until no longer receiving active care. Demographics, insurance, and comorbidities were assessed during the 12-month pre-index period, and annual all-cause inpatient, readmission, emergency room (ER) and outpatient visits were described during the follow-up period.
Results: A total of 1,733 patients (mean age = 49.5 years, 55.9% male, 53.7% black, 46% with Medicare) met the study criteria. The mean Elixhauser comorbidity index was 3.2 (±2.2). During the follow-up period (mean = 4.0±3.1 years), 44.3% of patients had all-cause inpatient visits, 64.9% had ER visits, 97.7% had outpatient visits, and 20.6% (among those with inpatient visits) had 30-day readmissions. Patients on average had 1.0 (±1.1) inpatient, 8.6 (±5.7) outpatient, 2.1 (±3.1) ER, and 0.8 (±1.0) readmission visits annually.
Conclusion: Patients with schizophrenia within a US integrated healthcare system consume substantial healthcare services. Population health strategies may be effective to appropriately manage healthcare resources in schizophrenia patients.
This poster was presented at the 32nd annual Psych Congress, held Oct. 3-6, 2019, in San Diego, California.
