S M J Leijdesdorff1, C E M Huijs2, R M C Klaassen3, A Popma3,4, T A M J van Amelsvoort1, S M A A Evers2,5. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience (MNeNS) Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Duivendrecht, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 5. Trimbos Institute Centre for Economic Evaluation and Machine Learning, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the burden of (sub-threshold) mental health problems in youth. AIM: To examine the burden of mental health problems in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cost-of-illness, for first visitors of the Dutch youth walk-in centres (@ease). METHOD: A bottom-up, prevalence-based burden of disease study from a societal perspective. HRQoL was assessed through the EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L), and cost-of-illness via items about truancy and health care utilization. RESULTS: Participants (N = 80) showed a decreased HRQoL compared to the general population of Dutch youth. In the three months prior to their 1st attendance, participants skipped on average 4.11 days of school and had 1.03 health care visits, leading to total costs of €512.64 per person. Females had significantly higher health care costs and lower HRQoL. Health care use was lower in those not speaking the Dutch language. Living alone was a significant predictor of truancy (costs), and therefore total costs. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health problems in youth consulting @ease have a considerable impact on the individual's HRQoL, and an economic impact on society, yet almost 75% is not receiving care. A lack of interventions in this critical period in life may have major lifelong consequences.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the burden of (sub-threshold) mental health problems in youth. AIM: To examine the burden of mental health problems in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cost-of-illness, for first visitors of the Dutch youth walk-in centres (@ease). METHOD: A bottom-up, prevalence-based burden of disease study from a societal perspective. HRQoL was assessed through the EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L), and cost-of-illness via items about truancy and health care utilization. RESULTS: Participants (N = 80) showed a decreased HRQoL compared to the general population of Dutch youth. In the three months prior to their 1st attendance, participants skipped on average 4.11 days of school and had 1.03 health care visits, leading to total costs of €512.64 per person. Females had significantly higher health care costs and lower HRQoL. Health care use was lower in those not speaking the Dutch language. Living alone was a significant predictor of truancy (costs), and therefore total costs. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health problems in youth consulting @ease have a considerable impact on the individual's HRQoL, and an economic impact on society, yet almost 75% is not receiving care. A lack of interventions in this critical period in life may have major lifelong consequences.
Entities:
Keywords:
Youth mental health; burden of disease; cost-of-illness; early detection; mental health problems; quality of life; young people
Authors: Evelien Dietvorst; Michelle A Aukes; Jeroen S Legerstee; Annabel Vreeker; Micah M Hrehovcsik; Loes Keijsers; Manon H J Hillegers Journal: JMIR Form Res Date: 2022-03-03
Authors: Irina Pokhilenko; Luca M M Janssen; Silvia M A A Evers; Ruben M W A Drost; Lena Schnitzler; Aggie T G Paulus Journal: Pharmacoeconomics Date: 2021-06-14 Impact factor: 4.981