Mental illnesses show an annual prevalence of up to 4% and are therefore comparatively frequent. Schizophrenia substantially adds with direct as well as indirect costs (sick leave) to the overall burden of health costs caused by mental illness. The unfavourable prognosis of schizophrenia is caused by its negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism can most likely be regarded as a disorder of regenerative capacities of the human brain. The implementation of guidelines, quality indicators and treatment pathways improves the treatment quality in schizophrenia patients, but should, however not be abused as a tool for cost-cutting measures. A stratification in the long-term course as well as the development of biomarkers in the fields of genomics and imaging may help to promptly improve the treatment options for schizophrenia.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.