Prevalence and correlates of generalized anxiety disorder in a national sample of older adults

Corey S. MACKENZIE, Kristin REYNOLDS, Kee Lee CHOU, Jina PAGURA, Jitender SAREEN

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Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to provide current estimates of the prevalence and correlates of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Methods: The authors used Wave 2 data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, which included 12,312 adults 55+ and older. In addition to examining the prevalence of GAD in the past year, this study explored psychiatric and medical comorbidity, health-related quality of life, and rates of help–seeking and self-medication.

Results: The past-year prevalence of GAD in this sample was 2.80%, although only 0.53% had GAD without Axis I or II comorbidity. The majority of individuals with GAD had mood or other anxiety disorders, and approximately one quarter had a personality disorder. Individuals with GAD were also more likely to have various chronic health problems although these associations disappeared after controlling for psychiatric comorbidity. Health-related quality of life was reduced among older adults with GAD, even after controlling for health conditions and comorbid major depression. Finally, only 18% of those without and 28.3% with comorbid Axis I disorders sought professional help for GAD in the past year. Self-medication for symptom relief was rare (7.2%).

Conclusions: GAD is a common and disabling disorder in later life that is highly comorbid with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders; psychiatric comorbidity is associated with an increased risk of medical conditions in this population. Considering that late-life GAD is associated with impaired quality of life but low levels of professional help-seeking increased effort is needed to help individuals with this disorder to access effective treatments. Copyright © 2011 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)305-315
JournalThe American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume19
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2011

Citation

Mackenzie, C. S., Reynolds, K., Chou, K.-L., Pagura, J., & Sareen, J. (2011). Prevalence and correlates of generalized anxiety disorder in a national sample of older adults. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(4), 305-315. doi: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e318202bc62

Keywords

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Epidemiology

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