Key result
A positive screen for depression among high medical utilizers was associated with significantly higher medical costs in the subsequent year ($5764 vs $4227; P<.001).
Why the study?
Does a positive screen for depression predict continued high medical expenditures in patients with a history of high medical expenses?
Population
786 high utilizers of medical care enrolled in the DeanCare health maintenance organization
Comparison
Positive screen for depression vs Nondepressed high utilizers
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
1 year (1994)
Authors
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Flags high utilizers for mental health evaluation; leaves open whether treating depression reduces future costs.
Cohort (n=786)
Does a positive screen for depression predict continued high medical expenditures in patients with a history of high medical expenses?
Effect estimate: Adjusted difference $1498
Absolute Event Rate: 5764% vs 4227%
p-value: p=< .001
Among patients with a history of high medical expenses, a positive screen for depression is associated with significantly higher subsequent medical costs.
Henry J. Henk (1996) conducted a cohort in Depression among patients with high medical expenses (n=786). Positive screen for depression vs. Negative screen for depression (nondepressed) was evaluated on Medical costs in the subsequent year (1994) (Adjusted difference $1498, p=< .001). A positive screen for depression among high medical utilizers was associated with significantly higher medical costs in the subsequent year ($5764 vs $4227; P<.001).
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