Depression status, medical comorbidity and resource costs

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the burden of depression, there remain few data on its economic consequences in an international context.AimsTo explore the relationship between depression status (with and without medical comorbidity), work loss and health care costs, using cross-sectional data from a multi-national study of depression in primarycare.MethodPrimarycare attendees were screened for depression. Those meeting eligibility criteria were categorised according to DSM – IV criteria for major depressive disorder and comorbid status. Unit costs were attached to self-reported days absent from work and uptake of health care services.ResultsMedical comorbidity was associated with a 17–46% increase in health care costs in five of the six sites, but a clear positive association between costs and clinical depression status was identified in only one site.ConclusionsThe economic consequences of depression are influenced to a greater (and considerable) extent by the presence of medical comorbidity than by symptom severity alone.