Economic burden of three common psychiatric disorders in Malaysia

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recent surveys have documented the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the general population.  With the high prevalence, mental illnesses are costly to the nation in medical resources used for care, treatment and rehabilitation; reduced or lost productivity; and pain and suffering of patients, their families and friends. 

Objective: The objective of this study were to calculate treatment cost of three common psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, depression and anxiety) from societal point of view (health care providers and patients perspectives), and to estimate the economic burden of managing these three diseases for a year.

Methods: Both macro and micro-costing methods were used to calculate cost of psychiatric inpatient and outpatient treatment.  Information was gathered from various departments (psychiatry, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, engineering, finance, human resources and medical record). Psychiatric patients were given a health diary to record any events related to the management of the diseases. Economic burden to the country was calculated using data from this study as well as few information from literature reviews, data from Ministry of Health and Department of Statistics.

Results: Average cost of schizophrenia, depression and anxiety treatment for a year from societal point of view were USD 1695, USD 1121 and USD 822 respectively. Estimated total cost of treatment for all schizophrenia, depression and anxiety patients in Malaysia for a year were USD 82 795 350, USD 510 883 497 and USD 80 065 994 respectively.

Conclusion:  Costs of psychiatric disorders are substantial especially depression. This impose large economic impact to the government in order to give appropriate treatment. Improvement in the access and quality of psychiatric care will help to save long term economic loss of health care providers and patients in this country.