ABSTRACT
Background
Depression is disabling disorder and cause functional impairments, and high costs for the health and social security system.
Objective
The direct and indirect costs of depression from the societal perspective were estimated for the period 2010 to 2018.
Methods
This cost-of-illness study in adults is based on prevalence, with a top-down approach, from the societal perspective. Direct (hospital and outpatient) and indirect (absenteeism) costs were included. Data were extracted from the Hospital and Outpatient Information Systems and the National Social Security Institute.
Results
The cost of depression was Int$ 2,288,511,607.39 in the analyzed period, with an average annual cost of Int$ 254,279,067.49. From 2014 to 2018, had a sharp and persistent decrease in the cost of depression (−44.24%), mainly in indirect costs (−55.83%). In the period investigated, indirect costs represented 74.85% of the total cost. Over time, outpatient surpassed hospital cost. In 2017 and 2018, outpatient costs represented 43.22% and 39.57% of total costs. In all the years and cost components analyzed, women predominated.
Conclusions
Depression is a disease with a high economic burden for the healthcare system. Investments are still needed, such as higher coverage of services, multidisciplinary teams, and training of health professionals for psychosocial care.
Author contributions
Conception and design of the work: B Mercedes, E Silva, R Carregaro, A Miasso
Analysis: B Mercedes, E Silva
Interpretation of data for the work: B Mercedes, E Silva, R Carregaro, A Miasso
Drafting the work: B Mercedes, E Silva
Revising it critically: B Mercedes, E Silva, R Carregaro, A Miasso
Final approval of the version to be published: B Mercedes, E Silva, R Carregaro, A Miasso
Declaration of interest
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.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.
Supplementary material
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14737167.2023.2154659