title: The local burden of emotional disorders. An analysis based on a large health survey in Catalonia (Spain).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mental health conditions are associated with a significant burden on individuals. Using data from a large population health survey, the present study aimed to quantify the burden of emotional disorders (depression and anxiety) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the region of Catalonia (Spain) for evidence-informed policy making.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regression models were used to estimate the impact of emotional disorders on HRQoL, controlling by socioeconomic factors and somatic health problems. The rate of emotional disorders was based on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and quality of life scores were based on the EQ-5D.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The impact of emotional disorders on HRQoL was equal to a reduction of 0.17 in the EQ-5D score. Translation of this individual impact to population figures yielded a total loss of 78,742 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for 2006. This strong impact highlights the need for global policies aiming to reduce this burden.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The negative relation between emotional disorders and the HRQoL of individuals was confirmed and quantified for the population of Catalonia. The use of quality of life scales such as the SF or EQ-5D, combined with data on quasi-specific health conditions provides substantial information for prioritizing and planning health programs.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Economics of Mental Health, Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK. Ramon.Sabes-Figuera@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabes-Figuera
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knapp
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendeck
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mompart-Penina
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvador-Carulla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult