Psychiatry Investig.  2017 May;14(3):240-248. 10.4306/pi.2017.14.3.240.

Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Physical Health Condition and Disability in an Elderly Korean Population

• Kang HJ
• Bae KY
• Kim SW
• Shin HY
• Shin IS
• Yoon JS
• Kim JM

• KMID: 2378639
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2017.14.3.240

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effects of anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity on physical disorders and disability in an elderly Korean population.
METHODS
In total, 1,204 community-dwelling elders were evaluated at baseline, and of these 909 (75%) were re-assessed two years later. Anxiety and depression were identified at baseline using questions from the community version of the Geriatric Mental State diagnostic schedule (GMS-B3). Participants were assessed for functional disability and for 11 physical disorders both at baseline and at follow-up.
RESULTS
Anxiety alone was associated with the incidence of heart disease, depression alone with the incidence of asthma, and comorbid anxiety and depression with incidence of eyesight problem, persistent cough, asthma, hypertension, heart disease, and gastrointestinal problems. Comorbid anxiety and depression were associated with an increase in the number of physical disorders and the degree of disability during the two-year follow-up, compared to anxiety or depression alone or the absence of anxiety or depression.
CONCLUSION
Anxiety, depression, and particularly their comorbidity should be assessed in the elderly population considering their longitudinal effects on physical disorders and disability. Future study is required to determine whether interventions aimed at these disorders can mitigate their impacts.

Keyword

Anxiety; Depression; Comorbid anxiety and depression; Physical disorders; Disability

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Anxiety*
Appointments and Schedules
Asthma
Comorbidity
Cough
Depression*
Follow-Up Studies
Heart Diseases
Humans
Hypertension
Incidence