Schizophrenia Annual Evidence Update 2008

[eli.h...@minervation.com]

Dear Mental Health library users,

We are proud to announce the launch of the Schizophrenia Annual
Evidence Update 2008:

http://www.library.nhs.uk/mentalhealth/

The Mental Health Specialist Library presents its Annual Evidence
Update on Schizophrenia from 14th April.

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 take a look and let us know what you think.

Many thanks,

The MHSL Team