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Challenges in measuring and valuing productivity costs, and their relevance in mood disorders

Authors Lensberg BR, Drummond MF, Danchenko N, Despiégel N, François C

Received 6 March 2013

Accepted for publication 28 May 2013

Published 18 November 2013 Volume 2013:5 Pages 565—573

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/CEOR.S44866

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 6



Benedikte R Lensberg,1 Michael F Drummond,2 Natalya Danchenko,3 Nicolas Despiégel,4 Clément François3

1OptumInsight, Uxbridge, 2Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK; 3Lundbeck SAS, Issy-les-Moulineaux, 4OptumInsight, Nanterre, France

Abstract: Lost productivity is often excluded from economic evaluations, which may lead to an underestimation of the societal benefits of treatment. However, there are multiple challenges in reliably estimating and reporting productivity losses. This article explores the main challenges, ie, selecting an appropriate valuation method (ie, human capital, friction cost, or multiplier), avoiding double counting, and accounting for equity. It also discusses the use of presenteeism instruments and their application in clinical trials, with a specific focus on their relevance in individuals with mood disorders. Further research and discussion is required on the development of reliable techniques for measuring and valuing productivity changes due to presenteeism.

Keywords: mood disorders, cost-benefit analysis, technology assessment, biomedical, presenteeism, absenteeism, productivity loss

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