COMPARINGHEALTHCARE UTILIZATION, EXPENDITURES, AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ADULTSWITHANDWITHOUTMOOD DISORDERS
Author(s)
Caroline L. Paley, PharmD;
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
OBJECTIVES: Mood disorders are associated with substantial clinical and economic burden but estimates based on nationally representative U.S. data remain limited. This study evaluated differences in healthcare utilization, expenditures, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) between adults with and without mood disorders.
METHODS: We used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2018 to 2023 and included adults enrolled in two consecutive panels. Individuals with major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder were identified using ICD 10 codes, validated by at least 1 inpatient (IP) or at least 2 outpatient (OP) visits. Controls were propensity score matched 1:1 using demographic and clinical factors. Outcomes included annual healthcare expenditures (inflation adjusted to 2024), utilization (emergency department [ED]/IP/OP visits), self rated overall health, and Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey (VR 12) physical and mental component scores. Survey weighted regression models were used, tailored to each outcome, and adjusted for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, race, region, and family income.
RESULTS: After matching, 1,868 adults (934 per cohort) were included. Compared with controls, individuals with mood disorders had substantially higher healthcare utilization and costs. In adjusted analyses, the psychiatric cohort had higher total healthcare expenditures (cost ratio=3.2; 95% CI: 2.4, 4.2), greater odds of ED use (odds ratio [OR]=1.9; 95% CI: 1.5, 2.6) and IP hospitalization (OR=2.25; 95% CI: 1.55, 3.28), and higher OP visit rates (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=6.4; 95% CI: 5.5, 7.6). Mood disorders were also associated with higher odds of poor self rated health (OR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.1).
CONCLUSIONS: Using nationally representative data, adults with mood disorders demonstrated substantially greater healthcare use and costs and poorer HRQoL than matched controls without mood disorders. These results suggest a sustained burden beyond demographic and clinical differences, with implications for healthcare planning and resource allocation.
METHODS: We used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2018 to 2023 and included adults enrolled in two consecutive panels. Individuals with major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder were identified using ICD 10 codes, validated by at least 1 inpatient (IP) or at least 2 outpatient (OP) visits. Controls were propensity score matched 1:1 using demographic and clinical factors. Outcomes included annual healthcare expenditures (inflation adjusted to 2024), utilization (emergency department [ED]/IP/OP visits), self rated overall health, and Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey (VR 12) physical and mental component scores. Survey weighted regression models were used, tailored to each outcome, and adjusted for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, race, region, and family income.
RESULTS: After matching, 1,868 adults (934 per cohort) were included. Compared with controls, individuals with mood disorders had substantially higher healthcare utilization and costs. In adjusted analyses, the psychiatric cohort had higher total healthcare expenditures (cost ratio=3.2; 95% CI: 2.4, 4.2), greater odds of ED use (odds ratio [OR]=1.9; 95% CI: 1.5, 2.6) and IP hospitalization (OR=2.25; 95% CI: 1.55, 3.28), and higher OP visit rates (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=6.4; 95% CI: 5.5, 7.6). Mood disorders were also associated with higher odds of poor self rated health (OR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.1).
CONCLUSIONS: Using nationally representative data, adults with mood disorders demonstrated substantially greater healthcare use and costs and poorer HRQoL than matched controls without mood disorders. These results suggest a sustained burden beyond demographic and clinical differences, with implications for healthcare planning and resource allocation.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
HSD4
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
SDC: Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Bone Disorders, Osteoporosis, Other Musculoskeletal)