The Economic Burden of Moderate and Severe Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Saudi Arabia
Author(s)
Mohammed A. Alluhidan, MSc.
Health Economics, Saudi Health Council, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Health Economics, Saudi Health Council, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVES: In Saudi Arabia (KSA), anxiety and depression are among the top six causes of disability, but little is known about their broader economic impact. This study aims to estimate the economic burden of moderate and severe symptoms in adults.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 2,828 Saudi citizens aged 18 years or older. Participants completed the (PHQ-4) for themselves and on behalf of other household members to capture prevalence rates. Responses from participants who screened positive for moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety and/or depression (N = 103) were used to assess healthcare utilization, workdays missed, and reduced productivity due to symptoms. These responses were monetized using prevalence rates and population estimates to calculate per-person and total annual costs.
RESULTS: In total, 7.3 percent reported at least moderate symptoms consistent with anxiety and/or depression. Among those with symptoms, direct healthcare costs due to anxiety and depression averaged SAR 10,387.42 per person annually. Indirect costs via absenteeism and presenteeism averaged SAR 11,774.55 and SAR 28,099.88 per person assuming that anxiety and/or depression episodes last for six months. Summing up the healthcare costs and productivity losses yields a total annual economic burden of SAR 63.4 billion. Absenteeism accounts for 21.6 percent of this total (SAR 13.7 billion), presenteeism accounts for 51.4 percent (SAR 32.6 billion), and healthcare resource utilization accounts for 27 percent (SAR 17.1 billion).
CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of anxiety and depression in KSA is estimated at 7.3 percent. The economic burden associated with these symptoms amount to SAR 63.4 billion or 1.6 percent of GDP. Absenteeism and presenteeism costs account for the vast majority of the total but alarge percentage (over 60 percent) also report emergency department visits and unplanned hospital admissions. Evidence-based interventions should be considered to address the health and economic burden of these conditions in KSA.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 2,828 Saudi citizens aged 18 years or older. Participants completed the (PHQ-4) for themselves and on behalf of other household members to capture prevalence rates. Responses from participants who screened positive for moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety and/or depression (N = 103) were used to assess healthcare utilization, workdays missed, and reduced productivity due to symptoms. These responses were monetized using prevalence rates and population estimates to calculate per-person and total annual costs.
RESULTS: In total, 7.3 percent reported at least moderate symptoms consistent with anxiety and/or depression. Among those with symptoms, direct healthcare costs due to anxiety and depression averaged SAR 10,387.42 per person annually. Indirect costs via absenteeism and presenteeism averaged SAR 11,774.55 and SAR 28,099.88 per person assuming that anxiety and/or depression episodes last for six months. Summing up the healthcare costs and productivity losses yields a total annual economic burden of SAR 63.4 billion. Absenteeism accounts for 21.6 percent of this total (SAR 13.7 billion), presenteeism accounts for 51.4 percent (SAR 32.6 billion), and healthcare resource utilization accounts for 27 percent (SAR 17.1 billion).
CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of anxiety and depression in KSA is estimated at 7.3 percent. The economic burden associated with these symptoms amount to SAR 63.4 billion or 1.6 percent of GDP. Absenteeism and presenteeism costs account for the vast majority of the total but alarge percentage (over 60 percent) also report emergency department visits and unplanned hospital admissions. Evidence-based interventions should be considered to address the health and economic burden of these conditions in KSA.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE701
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies, Work & Home Productivity - Indirect Costs
Disease
Mental Health (including addition)