Annual Evidence Update on Schizophrenia: 14-18 April 2008

An update of the evidence on this topic produced by the NLH Mental Health Specialist Library.

The symptoms and experience of schizophrenia are often distressing and the effects of the illness are pervasive, with a significant number of people continuing to experience long-term disability. Schizophrenia can have a major detrimental effect on people’s personal, social and occupational lives, placing a heavy burden on individuals and their carers, as well as potentially large demands on the healthcare system.

The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia is between 0.4% and 1.4%. The National Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity in the UK found a population prevalence of probable psychotic disorder of 5 per 1000 in people aged 16–74 years.

The cumulative cost of the care of individuals with schizophrenia is high. In 1992–3 the direct cost of health and social care for people with schizophrenia was estimated to be 2.8% of the total NHS expenditure, and 5.4% of NHS inpatient costs. Health and social services costs alone amounted to £810 million, of which inpatient care cost more than £652 million.

The NLH Mental Health Specialist Library has produced an Annual Evidence Update on Schizophrenia. The section on the Mental Health Specialist Library site brings together the latest evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews, important primary research, service development literature and patient information.

Please visit the site at http://www.library.nhs.uk/mentalhealth/ and tell us what you think.