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Prevalence of anxiety disorders and some comorbidities in elderly: a population-based study

ABSTRACT

Objective

This study evaluated the prevalence of anxiety disorders and associated factors in a population sample of elderly from South of Santa Catarina.

Methods

Cross-sectional study based on population data, which evaluated 1,021 elderly individuals, between 60 and 79 years. Home interviews were conducted to measure the variables of anxiety disorders, through of the MINI questionnaire, sociodemographic data, systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and serum cholesterol measurements.

Results

The prevalence among anxiety disorders were 22.0% for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), 14.8% for social phobia (FS); 10.5% for panic disorder (PD); 8.5% for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and with only, at least one disorder 40.5%. The distribution of the disorders were similar in both genders, GAD was more prevalent among those with lower education; OCD was more prevalent in individuals who were married or in union stable. In relation to clinical variables, SAH was associated with the presence of OCD; FS was associated with AMI; FS and OCD were associated with HDL > 40 mg/dL.

Conclusion

The data demonstrate that anxiety conditions are very common in older adults, significantly overlap and are associated with cardiovascular clinical variables.

Anxiety disorders; cardiovascular disease; comorbidities; elderly

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