Prevalence, awareness, and burden of major depressive disorder in urban China

Abstract

Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and burden of major depressive disorder (MDD) among adults in urban China. Methods: Data were included from the 2012 China National Health and Wellness Survey. Respondents self-reporting physician diagnosis of depression and screening positive for MDD (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), plus those screening positive for MDD, but undiagnosed and not experiencing depression, were compared with non-depressed controls. Outcomes included health-related quality of life (HRQoL), productivity loss, and resource utilization. Multivariable models assessed outcomes as a function of MDD, controlling for covariates. Results: MDD prevalence was 6.0%; only 8.3% of these respondents were diagnosed, among whom 51.5% currently used prescription medication for depression. Adults with MDD (diagnosed or undiagnosed) reported significantly poorer HRQoL and greater productivity loss and resource utilization than controls. Conclusions: MDD in urban China may be under-diagnosed and undertreated. Awareness and better access to treatments may help alleviate the burden of MDD.

KEYWORDS:

• major depressive disorder
• prevalence
• health-related quality of life
• resource utilization
• productivity loss
• urban China

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Martine C. Maculaitis in contributing to the literature review and editing on behalf of Kantar Health, with funding from Pfizer Investment Co., Ltd.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

S Gupta and A Goren are employees of Kantar Health, which conducted the National Health and Wellness Survey, and they analyzed the data on behalf of, and with funding from, Pfizer Investment Co., Ltd, including funding for manuscript publication. P Dong and D Liu are employees of Pfizer Investment Co., Ltd, which funded this study. All authors contributed to the study design, interpretation of results, and review, revision, and approval of the final manuscript. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.