Anxiety and the risk of death in older men and women.
BACKGROUND
There are inconsistent reports as to whether people with anxiety disorders have a higher mortality risk.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether anxiety disorders predict mortality in older men and women in the community.


METHODS
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.
van Hout
Hein P J
HP
Department of General Practice, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Centre, Van der Boechorststraat 7,1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Hpj.vanhout@vumc.nl.
Beekman
Aartjan T F
AT
de Beurs
Edwin
E
Comijs
Hannie
H
van Marwijk
Harm
H
de Haan
Marten
M
van Tilburg
Willem
W
Deeg
Dorly J H
DJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors