Economic impact of personality disorders in UK primary care attenders

Abstract

BackgroundThe economic impact of personality disorders on UK health services is unknown.AimsTo test the hypothesis that people with personality disorders have higher mean health and non-health costs compared with those without personality disorders.MethodProspective cohort study design. A total of 303 general practice attenders were followed-up 1 year after they had been assessed for the presence of personality disorders. Costs were estimated in £ sterling at 1999 price levels.ResultsThe mean total cost for patients with personality disorders was £3094 (s.d.=5324) compared with £1633 (s.d.=3779) for those without personality disorders. Personality disorders were not independently associated with increased costs. Multivariate analyses identified the presence of a significant interaction between personality disorders and common mental disorders and increased total costs (coefficient=499, 95% CI 180.1-626.2, P=0.002).ConclusionsPersonality disorders are not independently associated with increased costs. An interaction between personality disorders and common mental disorders significantly predicts increased total costs.