ECONOMIC IMPACT OF VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS AND DEPRESSION ON HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES AMONG U.S. WOMEN
Author(s)
Minoti Ganguli, DrPH Candidate1, Josué Patien Epane, PhD2, Nichola Seaton Ribadu, PhD3, Karl Mccleary, PhD2;
1Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA, School of Public Health, Vernon hills, IL, USA, 2Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA, School of Public Health, california, CA, USA, 3Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA, School of Behavioral Health, california, CA, USA
1Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA, School of Public Health, Vernon hills, IL, USA, 2Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA, School of Public Health, california, CA, USA, 3Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA, School of Behavioral Health, california, CA, USA
OBJECTIVES: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are common during the menopausal transition and frequently co-occur with depression, yet their independent and combined economic burden remains incompletely characterized. This study aims to assess the incremental annual healthcare cost of patients with VMS symptoms with and without depression vs. patients with no VMS nor depression.
METHODS: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2017 to 2022 were used in this study. Women were categorized into three groups: VMS without depression, VMS with depression, and no VMS/no depression. VMS and depression were identified using ICD-10 codes, and a MEPS self-administered questionnaire for depression. Mean annual total, outpatient, urgent care, and prescription healthcare expenditures were compared across groups. Multivariable generalized linear models with gamma distribution and log link estimated adjusted healthcare costs, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, insurance status, and other covariates.
RESULTS: A total of 797 women with VMS were identified, of whom 529 (66.3%) had comorbid depression; 21,245 women had neither VMS nor depression. In univariate analyses, mean annual healthcare expenditures were significantly higher among women with VMS. Mean total annual costs were $11,250 for women with VMS and depression and $11,178 for women with VMS without depression, compared with $6,785 among women without either condition (p<0.0001). In multivariate analyses, women with VMS and Depression were associated with a predicted mean annual healthcare cost of $13,670.48, compared with $6,869.59 in the reference group (p<0.0001). Women with VMS without depression had an adjusted mean annual cost of $10,991.34 (p<0.0001). Higher outpatient and prescription drug costs primarily drove these significant differences. Older age, unemployment, and a higher comorbidity burden were also significant predictors of increased costs.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression, along with vasomotor symptoms, is associated with substantial incremental healthcare expenditures, thus highlighting the need for comprehensive, value-based menopause care strategies that address both symptom burden and economic impact.
METHODS: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2017 to 2022 were used in this study. Women were categorized into three groups: VMS without depression, VMS with depression, and no VMS/no depression. VMS and depression were identified using ICD-10 codes, and a MEPS self-administered questionnaire for depression. Mean annual total, outpatient, urgent care, and prescription healthcare expenditures were compared across groups. Multivariable generalized linear models with gamma distribution and log link estimated adjusted healthcare costs, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, insurance status, and other covariates.
RESULTS: A total of 797 women with VMS were identified, of whom 529 (66.3%) had comorbid depression; 21,245 women had neither VMS nor depression. In univariate analyses, mean annual healthcare expenditures were significantly higher among women with VMS. Mean total annual costs were $11,250 for women with VMS and depression and $11,178 for women with VMS without depression, compared with $6,785 among women without either condition (p<0.0001). In multivariate analyses, women with VMS and Depression were associated with a predicted mean annual healthcare cost of $13,670.48, compared with $6,869.59 in the reference group (p<0.0001). Women with VMS without depression had an adjusted mean annual cost of $10,991.34 (p<0.0001). Higher outpatient and prescription drug costs primarily drove these significant differences. Older age, unemployment, and a higher comorbidity burden were also significant predictors of increased costs.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression, along with vasomotor symptoms, is associated with substantial incremental healthcare expenditures, thus highlighting the need for comprehensive, value-based menopause care strategies that address both symptom burden and economic impact.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EE389
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Disease
SDC: Reproductive & Sexual Health