Economic costs of minor depression: a population‐based study

Abstract

de Graaf R, ten Have M, Beekman A. Economic costs of minor depression: a population-based study.Objective: Although the clinical relevance of minor depression has been demonstrated in many studies, the economic costs are not well explored. In this study, we examine the economic costs of minor depression. Method: In a large-scale, population-based study in the Netherlands (n ¼ 5504) the costs of minor depression were compared with the costs of major depression and dysthymia. Excess costs, i.e. the costs of a disorder over and above the costs attributable to other illnesses, were estimated with help of regression analysis. The direct medical costs, the direct non-medical costs and the indirect non-medical costs were calculated. The year 2003 was used as the reference year. Results: The annual per capita excess costs of minor depression were US$ 2141 (95% CI ¼ 753-3529) higher than the base rate costs of US$ 1023, while the costs of major depression were US$ 3313 (95% CI ¼ 1234-5390) higher than the base rate. The costs of minor depression per 1 million inhabitants were 160 million dollars per year, which is somewhat less than the costs of major depression (192 million dollars per year). Conclusion:The economic costs associated with minor depression are considerable and approach those of major depression. Significant outcomes • The annual excess per capita costs of minor depression are about two-thirds of the per capita costs of major depression.• Per million inhabitants the excess costs of minor depression (US$ 160 million) approach those of major depression (US$ 192 million).• Virtually all excess costs of minor depression are indirect non-medical costs (costs for treatment are not significantly higher than the base rate). Limitations• The definition of minor depression was not exactly the same as the DSM-IV definition.• Although the number of subjects was large, it is relatively small for economic studies.• Data from the second measurement point of the study were used, at which point some attrition had already taken place.

Adolescents in Primary Care with Sub-Threshold Depressed Mood Screened for Participation in a Depression Prevention Study: Co-Morbidity and Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms

“…By age 24, one-quarter of adolescents will develop a depressive disorder with substantial adverse impact on both individuals and society with costs in excess of 100 billion dollars per year [3][4][5][6]. Regardless of the risk of progression, sub-threshold depressive symptoms at the level of minor depression with at least two core symptoms for at least 2 weeks result in considerable cost and impairment of social and academic function [7,8].…”

Mothers of Children With ADHD: Does Employment Help?

“…Furthermore, the economic consequences of minor depression rival those of major depression (Cuijpers et al, 2007a). Knowing that psychological interventions can help reduce depressive symptoms in both the short and long-term (Cuijpers, Smit, & van Straten, 2007b) lends support to intervening early to address psychological distress, even at its lowest level.…”

Efetividade da Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental para os Transtornos do Humor e Ansiedade: Uma Revisão de Revisões Sistemáticas

“…O transtorno depressivo maior tem excedido a renda per capita anual de países europeus em aproximadamente €2278 (Cuijpers et al, 2007), necessitando de terapias efetivas para seu tratamento ou profilaxia. A TCC mostrou-se eficaz para os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, assim como tratamentos farmacológicos à base de Inibidores Seletivos da Recaptação de Serotonina (ISRS) e terapias psicodinâmicas de curto-prazo (Serfaty et al, 2009;Vittengl et al, 2007;Weisz et al, 2006;Asarnow et al, 2009;Speck, 2007;De Graaf, et al, 2009;Hollon et al, 2006;Leichsenring & Rabung, 2008).…”