Health and social care service utilisation and associated expenditure among community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms

Abstract Aims Late-life depression has substantial impacts on individuals, families and society. Knowledge gaps remain in estimating the economic associated with late-life by symptom severity, which implications for resource prioritisation research design (such as modelling). This study examined incremental health social care expenditure of depressive symptoms severity. Methods We analysed data collected from 2707 older adults aged 60 years over Hong Kong. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Client Service Receipt Inventory were used, respectively, to measure service utilisation a basis calculating expenditure. Two-part models used estimate severity 1 year. Results average PHQ-9 score was 6.3 (standard deviation, s.d. = 4.0). percentages respondents mild, moderate moderately severe non-depressed 51.8%, 13.5%, 3.7% 31.0%, respectively. Overall, group generated largest (US$5886; 95% CI 1126–10 647 or 272% increase), followed mild (US$3849; 2520–5177 176% increase) (US$1843; 854–2831, 85% increase). Non-psychiatric healthcare main cost component group, after controlling other chronic conditions covariates. association between overall peaked at 4 (US$691; 444–939), then gradually fell negative scores 12 (US$ - 35; 530 460) 19 -171; 417 76) soared positive rebounded 23 (US$601; -1652 2854). Conclusions is stronger among symptoms. Older same have different patterns. major element. These findings inform ways optimise policy efforts improve financial sustainability long-term systems, including involvement primary physicians geriatric providers preventing treating related budgeting accounting issues across services.