OBJECTIVE: Depressive disorders influence socioeconomic burden at both the 
individual and organizational levels. This study estimates the lost productive 
time (LPT) and its resulting cost among workers with major depressive disorder 
(MDD) compared with a comparison group. It also estimates the change in 
productivity after 8 weeks of outpatient psychiatric treatment with 
antidepressants.
METHODS: Working patients diagnosed with MDD without other major physical or 
mental disorders were recruited (n = 102), along with age- and sex-matched 
healthy controls from the Seoul Metropolitan area (n = 91). The World Health 
Organization's Health and Work Performance Questionnaire and the Hamilton Rating 
Scale for Depression were utilized to measure productivity and severity of 
depression, respectively, at baseline and at 8 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS: The LPT from absenteeism and presenteeism (reduced performance while 
present at work) was significantly higher among the MDD group. Workers with MDD 
averaged costs due to LPT at 33.4% of their average annual salary, whereas the 
comparison group averaged costs of 2.5% of annual salary. After 8 weeks of 
treatment, absenteeism and clinical symptoms of depression were significantly 
reduced and associated with significant improvement in self-rated job 
performance (31.8%) or cost savings of $7508 per employee per year.
CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that significant productivity loss arises from MDD and 
that this loss can be reduced with psychiatric intervention after a time period 
as short as 8 weeks. Mental health professionals should work with employers to 
devise a cost-effective system to provide workers with accessible quality care.