Conclusion
In conclusion, there were clear differences between
patient and layperson responses to the utility questionnaire.
However, the preference ordering of these health
states was similar, with stable schizophrenia having the
lowest impact on quality of life and relapse and EPS the
greatest impact on quality of life, indicating as clear an
understanding by patients of the health states and their
impact on quality of life as by laypersons. In a disease
such as schizophrenia, chronic side-effects of treatment
such as weight gain and diabetes may have just as large an
impact on QALYs as the acute symptoms of the condition
itself.