Key result
Elderly subjects with anxiety disorders had higher odds of cardiovascular disease (OR 1.33-2.80), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.07), peptic ulcer (OR 3.41), and hyperlipidemia (OR 2.99).
Why the study?
Are anxiety disorders associated with a higher risk of physical illnesses in elderly subjects?
Cross-Sectional (n=5,724)
Yes
Are anxiety disorders associated with a higher risk of physical illnesses in elderly subjects?
Elderly subjects with anxiety disorders have significantly higher odds of coexisting vascular and metabolic problems, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports anxiety screening in elderly with CVD; cross-sectional data leaves causality and practice changes open.
AIM: We used population-based analyses to explore whether anxiety disorders are associated with certain physical illnesses, as previous studies have suggested, and whether a greater number of comorbid anxiety disorders would influence physical illnesses in the elderly. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, we included subjects aged over 60 years. The study included 954 subjects with anxiety disorders (as defined by the ICD-9-CM) and 4770 control subjects without anxiety disorders. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for the risks of physical illnesses in both groups. RESULTS: Subjects with anxiety disorders had higher OR for cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.33-2.80), cerebrovascular disease (OR = 2.07), peptic ulcer (OR = 3.41), and hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.99). Furthermore, a greater number of comorbid anxiety disorders may further increase the OR of the aforementioned physical illnesses, except for peripheral vascular disorder, when compared to those without anxiety disorders. CONCLUSION: Elderly subjects with more anxiety disorders may be associated with vascular and metabolic problems. Clinicians should carefully assess the physical illnesses of elderly patients with anxiety disorders.
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Chang et al. (2016) conducted a cross-sectional in Anxiety disorders (n=5,724). Anxiety disorders vs. No anxiety disorders was evaluated on Physical illnesses including cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, peptic ulcer, and hyperlipidemia (OR 1.33-2.80 (CVD), OR 2.07 (cerebrovascular), OR 3.41 (peptic ulcer), OR 2.99 (hyperlipidemia)). Elderly subjects with anxiety disorders had higher odds of cardiovascular disease (OR 1.33-2.80), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.07), peptic ulcer (OR 3.41), and hyperlipidemia (OR 2.99).
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