Societal costs of subclinical depressive symptoms in Dutch adolescents: a cost‐of‐illness study

Abstract

Background: Subclinical depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among adolescents and are associated with negative consequences, which may pose an economic burden for society. We conducted a prevalence-based cost-ofillness study using a societal perspective to investigate the cost-of-illness of subclinical depressive symptoms among adolescents. Methods: Using a bottom-up approach, cost questionnaires were assessed to measure costs from 237 Dutch families with an adolescent aged 11-18 with subclinical depressive symptoms (of which 34 met the criteria of a depressive disorder). The study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register (Trial NL5584/NTR6176; www.trialregister. nl/trial/5584). Results: Our calculations show that adolescents with subclinical depressive symptoms cost the Dutch society more than €42 million annually, expressed in costs related to depressive symptoms. Secondary analyses were performed to test the reliability and stability of the costs. When costs related to psychological problems were considered, the annual costs amounted to €67 million. The total societal costs related to physical problems amounted to approximately €126 million. All costs combined (depressive, psychological, behavioural and physical problems and other reasons) amounted to a €243 million. Total costs were highest for physical-related problems of the adolescent (52% of the total costs), followed by psychological (28%), depressive (17%) and behavioural problems (1%). Using an international prevalence rate, societal costs related to depressive symptoms resulted in €54 million a year. Conclusions: Cost-effective prevention programmes seem warranted given the high societal costs and risk of future costs as subclinical depressive symptoms could be a precursor of clinical depression later in life.

Use of Netnography to Understand GoFundMe® Crowdfunding Profiles Posted for Individuals and Families of Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

“…Unlike funding requests with high PFPM (e.g., medication, funeral expenses), legal fees, living expenses, and eye care, which make up half of the newly identified cost categories, were also the least likely to attract funding. Legal fees are not captured in most pediatric COI literature [ 33 , 34 , 35 ], but may constitute a harmful and idiosyncratic part of the OI healthcare experience that differentiate OI from other childhood chronic illnesses. Families may accumulate legal fees due to child abuse allegations made prior to a diagnosis of OI [ 36 , 37 ], such as when a child with undiagnosed OI is admitted to the hospital with multiple unexplained fractures [ 38 ].…”

@ease peer‐to‐peer youth walk‐in centres in The Netherlands: A protocol for evaluating longitudinal outcomes, follow‐up results and cost‐of‐illness

“…In The Netherlands, more than half of 18–24‐year‐olds received a psychiatric diagnosis in their lifetime (ten Have et al, 2022a) and suicide was the main cause of death in 15‐ to 20‐year‐olds (Statistics Netherlands, 2021a). The financial impact was found to be substantial as well: in 12‐ to 21‐year‐old, clinical depression alone was found to cost Dutch society over 37 million euros yearly, and minimally 42 million for subclinical depressive levels, amounting to 243 million when indirect costs were included (Bodden et al, 2018; Bodden et al, 2022).…”

Challenges in Recruiting University Students for Web-Based Indicated Prevention of Depression and Anxiety: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial (ICare Prevent)

“…In addition, mental health complaints negatively affect students’ academic performance and increase dropout [ 18 , 19 ]. A recent study among Dutch adolescents also highlighted the economic costs of subclinical depression, including health care and societal costs related to school absenteeism [ 20 ]. Considering the importance of higher education for economic growth [ 21 ], preventing the onset of mental health conditions in students matters from an individual, societal, and economic perspective.…”