Costs to Quality of Life Associated with Common Mental Disorders: Results from a Nationally Representative Sample
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Date
2014-08-04
Authors
Penner-Goeke, Kirsten
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Abstract
Objective: Traditional burden of disease estimates often exclude personality disorders, which are
associated with significant mortality and morbidity. This paper aimed to estimate the health related
quality of life and annual population level quality-adjusted life years (QALY) losses associated with
different mental and physical health conditions. In particular, it sought to quantify the impact of
personality disorders on quality of life, at an individual and population level.
Method: This secondary analysis of study used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on
Alcohol and Related Conditions (n=34,533), a nationally representative survey of the United States
general population collected from 2001-2005. Health related quality of life (measured using the SF-6D)
was the main outcome of interest. Regression analysis assessed the impact of various mental (based
on DSM-IV criteria) and physical health conditions on HRQOL scores, and this impact was combined
with prevalence of disorders to estimate the population level burden of disease.
Results: Mood disorders were associated with the highest decrease in HRQOL scores, followed by
psychotic illness, stroke and arthritis (P<0.01 ). The greatest annual population QALY losses were
caused by arthritis, mood disorders, and personality disorders.
Conclusion: QALY losses associated with personality disorders ranked behind only mood disorders
and arthritis. Personality disorders were associated with significant reductions in quality of life, despite
the fact that they are often excluded from traditional burden of disease estimates.
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Keywords
quality of life, mental disorders