Use of health care resources and loss of productivity in patients with depressive disorders seen in Primary Care: INTERDEP Study

Abstract

Introduction. The InterDep Study analyzes the characteristics of patients with a depressive disorder who, in the last years, have received health services at Primary Care in an specific health care area. The InterDep Study evaluates the use of heath care resources attributable to depression (direct costs) and loss of productivity (indirect costs). It also analyzes these patients’ referral to the specialist.

Methods. A retrospective, multicenter observational study was conducted using computerized medical records collected in an anonymized database of 22,795 patients who received health care services between 2005 and 2009 for a new episode of depressive disorder in a specific Primary Care Area of the Madrid Health Service (Community of Madrid) (former Area 6).

Results. A 74.5% of the patients with depressive disorders were women, mean age 54 years (SD 17.7). According to the ICPC classification, depression was the most frequently diagnosed disorder (48.4%), followed by anxiety (35.4%) and adjustment disorder (16.2%). A 88.5% were treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (N06AB). The average total annual cost (both direct and indirect costs) was 725.2 Euros. Loss of productivity was the major cost in depressed patients treated in primary care (501.0 Euros), especially among those patients on disability. A 29.7% of the patients were referred to specialized care.

Conclusions. The prevalence and the socio-sanitary impact of depressive disorders in primary care require adequate clinical competence from the physician to guarantee proper disease management thus, minimizing the significant direct (health care resources) and indirect (loss of productivity) cost.