The Maudsley long-term follow-up of child and adolescent depression: Predicting costs in adulthood

Paul McCrone, Martin Knapp, Eric Fombonne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the long-term economic impact of childhood depression. The aim of this study is to identify and examine the links between the characteristics of children with depression and the costs of services used in adulthood. Methods: Subjects (N=149) who had attended psychiatric services in South London for depression were followed up on average 20.7 years later. Sociodemographic and illness characteristics were recorded in childhood and service use in adulthood was measured. Costs were calculated and multiple regression models were developed to explain variations in cost, with a comparison between ordinary least squares estimation and a generalised linear model. Results: Service use and cost data were available on 140 subjects. The mean annual cost was £ 890 (range £ 0-£ 7532). Predictors of cost variations in both models were age at initial referral, level of childhood anxiety, and the presence of comorbid conduct disorder. In the ordinary least squares model, a family history of psychiatric illness was inversely related to cost, whilst in the generalised linear model there was an inverse link between peer/sibling relationship problems and costs. The models could explain 24 % and 20% of cost variation, respectively. Conclusions: It is possible to explain a reasonable amount of variation in adult service costs from factors describing the characteristics of children at the time of receiving care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)407-413
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume14
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Childhood depression
  • Conduct disorder
  • Cost
  • Health economics
  • Longitudinal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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