Prevalence of Anxiety Symptoms and Their Association With Loss Experience in a Large Cohort Sample of the Oldest-Old. Results of the AgeCoDe/AgeQualiDe Study

Abstract

Background: Anxiety in adults is a common mental health problem. However, studies on anxiety in the oldest-old are lacking. We sought to identify the age- and gender-specific prevalence of anxiety symptoms in a large sample of general practice patients. Furthermore, we investigated relevant associations of anxiety specifically with respect to recent experience of loss. Methods: Based on the German Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in general practice patients, a sample of 897 patients aged 82 years and older was assessed. Anxiety was assessed using the short form of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI-SF). For the assessment of loss, patients were asked whether there were cases of death in their closer social environment since the last assessment. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were run. Results: Of the oldest-old individuals (aged 82+ years, mean age: 86.8), 14.5% (95% CI 12.4–16.8) suffered from anxiety symptoms. Highest prevalence rates were found for 82- to 85-year-old women (17.2%, 95% CI 12.6–22.1) and for 86- to 90-year-old patients (both sexes) in general (15.9%, 95% CI 12.6–19.2). Older individuals who experienced cases of death in their close social environment within the last 18 months had almost twice the odds [odds ratio (OR) 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–3.17] of reporting anxiety compared to those without a recent loss. As expected, depression and impaired cognitive status were associated with the presence of anxiety symptoms. No relation was found between social network, gender, age, frailty, or physical illness and anxiety in regression analysis. Conclusions: This study provides for the first time age- and gender-specific prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms and associated risk factors among a large population-based sample of oldest-old primary care attenders. Anxiety is highly prevalent in individuals aged 82 years and older. Depression, impaired cognitive status, and recent experience of loss are associated with late-life anxiety. Our findings support the idea that recent experience of loss should be taken seriously in the context of clinical practice with respect to diagnosing and treating anxiety in old age.

Prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among older adults: A cross‐sectional population‐based study

“…Several studies have reported associations between mental health symptoms and adverse life events (Chawla, Gour, Goel, & Rohilla, 2018; Welzel et al, 2019), functional ability (Corna et al, 2007; Gauli & Shrestha, 2017), social participation (Amagasa et al, 2017; Gautam et al, 2007), social support (Jongenelis et al, 2004; Vink et al, 2009), and smoking habit (Strine et al, 2008) consistent with those found in this study. A novel finding of this study is the protective effect of the old age allowance for mental health symptoms.…”

Gambaran Kejadian dan Tingkat Kecemasan pada Lanjut Usia

“…Jumlah orang berusia 65 atau lebih tua diproyeksikan akan meningkat dari 524 juta pada tahun 2010 menjadi hampir 1,5 miliar pada tahun 2050, dengan peningkatan terbesar berada di negaranegara berkembang (World Health Organization, 2011). Riset Welzel F.D et all., (2019) menyatakan individu usia diatas 82 tahun yang menderita gejala kecemasan sebanyak 14,5% (Welzel et al, 2019).…”

Incidence of Anxiety in Latest Life and Risk Factors. Results of the AgeCoDe/AgeQualiDe Study

“…Anxiety in old age is a frequent mental health problem [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] with an estimated point prevalence of 17% for any anxiety disorder [ 5 ]. Specific phobias (10%), followed by generalized anxiety disorder (4%) and social phobia (4%), have been found to be the most prevalent anxiety disorders in oldest-old individuals [ 5 ].…”

“…However, research on the association of anxiety and mortality rate is rather inconclusive [ 10 , 11 ]. Besides anxiety disorders, sub-threshold anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent in late life [ 1 , 12 ] and have been associated with self-reported functional decline in older adults [ 13 ]. Still, anxiety in late life has been reported to be a largely unrecognized and underestimated cause of suffering in older adults [ 14 ].…”

“…Further, loss experiences (i.e., the death of a related person) as a possible risk factor for incident anxiety in late life have been rarely considered in the past. In a prior study we found prevalent anxiety symptoms to be associated with recent loss experiences, next to depression and cognitive function [ 1 ]. Similarly, other studies reported an increase in anxiety in older adults post bereavement [ 26 , 27 ].…”