Cited by 138Mental Health Treatment and AccessTreatment of Major DepressionPsychological Treatments and Disorders

Estimating the global treatment rates for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mekonen, Tesfa, Chan, Gary C.K., Connor, Jason P., Hides, Leanne, Leung, Janni·2021·Journal of Affective Disorders

Abstract

Background Depression is considered a global crisis due to its high prevalence and associated disabilities. The burden posed by depression could be reduced by increasing access to timely treatment. Limited information is available on treatment rates of depression, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the treatment rates for depression in the general adult population by World Bank income classification.Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, supplemented with hand-search of reference lists to identify community-based studies. The overall treatment rate for depression was estimated from studies that reported any treatment (behavioral or pharmacological treatments) in healthcare or informal non-healthcare settings. Data were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Subgroup analyses by income classification were completed. Meta-regression was conducted by study characteristics. The protocol was pre-registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020161683).Results We included 65 studies comprising 1.1 million participants from 79 countries and territories. The global 12-month/lifetime pooled treatment rate was 34.8% (95% confidence interval: 29.9, 39.9%). The treatment rates were 48.3% (43.0, 53.6%) in high-income countries, 21.4% (15.1, 27.7%) in middle-income countries, and 16.8% (11.3, 23.0%) in low-income countries. Among the treated samples, 12-month minimally adequate treatment was estimated to be 40%.Limitation We reported a substantial level of between-study heterogeneity, which was partially explained by study characteristics in the meta-regression.Conclusion Globally, approximately one-third of people with depression receive treatment. Three in five treated people with depression did not receive minimally adequate treatment. Depression treatment rates are considerably lower in low-and middle-income countries.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.038

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Authors
Mekonen, T., Chan, G. C. K., Connor, J. P., Hides, L., & Leung, J.
Affiliations
The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Mekonen, Tesfa
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-12
Volume
295
Pages
1234-1242
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3201026109
Cited by
137
References
124
Citations by year
2026: 31 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 1
FWCI
2.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • Australian Government
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Disorders
Keywords
depression, treatment rates, access to mental health care, low- and middle-income countries, World Bank income classification, pharmacotherapy, behavior therapy, community-based study
MeSH terms
Adult, Depression, Humans, Income, Prevalence

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