Why the study?
Does the presence of anxiety disorders predict mortality in older men and women in the community?
Does the presence of anxiety disorders predict mortality in older men and women in the community?
Anxiety disorders are associated with an increased risk of mortality in older men, but not in older women, independent of comorbid depression and lifestyle factors.
Anxiety may elevate mortality risk in older men; leaves open causality and whether screening or treatment modifies outcomes.
BACKGROUND: There are inconsistent reports as to whether people with anxiety disorders have a higher mortality risk. AIMS: To determine whether anxiety disorders predict mortality in older men and women in the community. METHOD: Longitudinal data were used from a large, community-based random sample (n=3107) of older men and women (55-85 years) in The Netherlands, with a follow-up period of 7.5 years. Anxiety disorders were assessed according to DSM-III criteria in a two-stage screening design. RESULTS: In men, the adjusted mortality risk was 1.78 (95% CI 1.01-3.13) in cases with diagnosed anxiety disorders at baseline. In women, no significant association was found with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a gender difference in the association between anxiety and mortality. For men, but not for women, an increased mortality risk was found for anxiety disorders.
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Hout et al. (2004) studied this question.
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