Using WHODAS 2.0 to Assess Functional Impairment in People with Depression: Should Employment Receive More Attention?

Yu-Chen Chiang, Tsan-Hon Liou, Hsin-Chien Lee and Reuben Escorpizo
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Yu-Chen Chiang: Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei 23561, Taiwan
Tsan-Hon Liou: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei 23561, Taiwan
Hsin-Chien Lee: Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
Reuben Escorpizo: Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05452, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental disorder which causes public health burden and personal disabilities. In people with mental illness, unemployment is an index character of functional impairment. Methods: Using the Taiwan Databank of Persons with Disability (TDPD), we collected the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) scores for people with MDD-associated disability. We recorded and analyzed the scores of participants during a 3-year period to determine the impact of employment on the trajectory of functional change. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between employment and changes in WHODAS 2.0 scores. Results: In people with MDD-associated disability, unemployed individuals present a worse function initially compared to employed individuals. After a 3-year period, the employed group showed a significant functional improvement in the domains of cognition, mobility, and participation. In logistic regression, the odds of having functional improvement were twice as high for those who were employed compared with those who were not. Conclusions: Higher odds of having functional improvement were noted in participants who stay in employment. Programs and strategies to help people with MDD-associated disability resume work warrant more clinical attention and supportive policies from the government.

Keywords: major depressive disorder; functional impairment; WHODAS 2.0; employment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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