Start Over

Anxiety and the risk of death in older men and women

Authors :: Edwin de Beurs
Aartjan T.F. Beekman
Harm W.J. van Marwijk
Marten de Haan
Hein P.J. van Hout
Willem van Tilburg
Dorly J. H. Deeg
Hannie C. Comijs
General practice
VU University medical center
APH - Mental Health
EMGO - Mental health
Psychiatry
Source :: British Journal of Psychiatry, 185(NOV.), 399-404. Royal College of Psychiatrists, Van Hout, H P J, Beekman, A T F, De Beurs, E, Comijs, H, Van Marwijk, H, De Haan, M, Van Tilburg, W & Deeg, D J H 2004, ' Anxiety and the risk of death in older men and women ', British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 185, no. NOV., pp. 399-404 . https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.185.5.399
Publication Year :: 2004
Abstract: BackgroundThere are inconsistent reports as to whether people with anxiety disorders have a higher mortality risk.AimsTo 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.ResultsIn men, the adjusted mortality risk was 1.78 (95% Cl 1.01–3.13) in cases with diagnosed anxiety disorders at baseline. In women, no significant association was found with mortality.ConclusionsThe 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.