Citation

Hu TW, He Y, Zhang M, Chen N. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2007; 42(2): 110-116.

Affiliation

School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA, thu@berkeley.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-006-0151-2

PMID

17235441

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A recent survey in China indicated the 12-month prevalence rate of depressive disorders was 2.5% in Beijing and 1.7% in Shanghai. These disorders may result in disability, premature death, and severe suffering of those affected and their families. AIMS: This study estimates the economic consequences of depressive disorders in China. METHODS: Depressive disorders can have both direct and indirect costs. To obtain direct costs, the research team interviewed 505 patients with depressive disorders and their caregivers in eight clinics/hospitals in five cities in China. Depression-related suicide rates were obtained from published literature. The human capital approach was used to estimate indirect costs. Epidemiological data were taken from available literature. RESULTS: The total estimated cost of depression in China is 51,370 million Renminbi (RMB) (or US $6,264 million) at 2002 prices. Direct costs were 8,090 million RMB (or US$ 986 million), about 16% of the total cost of depression. Indirect costs were 43,280 million RMB (or US$ 5,278 million), about 84% of the total cost of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is a very costly disorder in China. The application of an effective treatment-reducing the length of depressive episodes (or preventing episodes) and reducing suicide rates-will lead to a significant reduction in the total burden resulting from depressive disorders. Government policymakers should seriously consider further investments in mental health services.

Language: en