Productivity losses among treated depressed patients relative to healthy controls.
OBJECTIVE
Estimate the productivity-related cost of depression in an employed population.


METHODS
By using administrative data, annual short-term disability (STD) and absenteeism costs ($2005) were compared for patients with depression and treated with antidepressants and for a matched control group without depression.


RESULTS
Mean annual STD costs were $1038 among treated depressed patients versus $325 among controls and $1685 among a subgroup of severely depressed treated patients versus $340 among their controls. After controlling for demographic and employment characteristics, treated patients with depression had STD costs that were $356 higher per patient and those with severe depression had costs that were $861 higher. The marginal impact of treated depression on absenteeism was $377.


CONCLUSIONS
Even when depressed patients are treated with antidepressants, there are substantial productivity losses. Therapies that can better manage depression may provide opportunities for savings to employers.
Thomson Reuters, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20008, USA. suellen.curkendall@thomsonreuters.com
Suellen
S
Curkendall
Kimberly M
KM
Ruiz
Vijay
V
Joish
Tami L
TL
Mark
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000191:economics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004526:Efficiency; D017049:Employer Health Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D014481:United States
D000928:Antidepressive Agents