Severity of Depression and Magnitude of Productivity Loss
- 1 July 2011
- journal article
- Published by Annals of Family Medicine in Annals of Family Medicine
- Vol. 9 (4), 305-311
- https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1260
Abstract
Depression is associated with lowered work functioning, including absences, impaired productivity, and decreased job retention. Few studies have examined depression symptoms across a continuum of severity in relationship to the magnitude of work impairment in a large and heterogeneous patient population, however. We assessed the relationship between depression symptom severity and productivity loss among patients initiating treatment for depression. Data were obtained from patients participating in the DIAMOND (Depression Improvement Across Minnesota: Offering a New Direction) initiative, a statewide quality improvement collaborative to provide enhanced depression care. Patients newly started on antidepressants were surveyed with the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item screen (PHQ-9), a measure of depression symptom severity; the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire, a measure of loss in productivity; and items on health status and demographics. We analyzed data from the 771 patients who reported being currently employed. General linear models adjusting for demographics and health status showed a significant linear, monotonic relationship between depression symptom severity and productivity loss: with every 1-point increase in PHQ-9 score, patients experienced an additional mean productivity loss of 1.65% (P <.001). Even minor levels of depression symptoms were associated with decrements in work function. Full-time vs part-time employment status and self-reported fair or poor health vs excellent, very good, or good health were also associated with a loss of productivity (P <.001 and P=.045, respectively). This study shows a relationship between the severity of depression symptoms and work function, and suggests that even minor levels of depression are associated with a loss of productivity. Employers may find it beneficial to invest in effective treatments for depressed employees across the continuum of depression severity.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Partnership ResearchMedical Care, 2010
- Feasibility and Diagnostic Validity of the M-3 Checklist: A Brief, Self-Rated Screen for Depressive, Bipolar, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in Primary CareAnnals of Family Medicine, 2010
- Mediators of the association between depression and role functioningActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 2008
- Severity of mood symptoms and work productivity in people treated for bipolar disorderBipolar Disorders, 2008
- Telephone Screening, Outreach, and Care Management for Depressed Workers and Impact on Clinical and Work Productivity OutcomesJAMA, 2007
- Screening for Depression in Medical Settings with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ): A Diagnostic Meta-AnalysisJournal of General Internal Medicine, 2007
- Unemployment, Job Retention, and Productivity Loss Among Employees With DepressionPsychiatric Services, 2004
- The PHQ-9Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001
- Workplace performance effects from chronic depression and its treatmentJournal of Health Economics, 1998
- The Validity and Reproducibility of a Work Productivity and Activity Impairment InstrumentPharmacoEconomics, 1993