Age and racial differences in the presentation and treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in primary care.
Despite the prevalence and impact of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in the primary care setting, little is known about its presentation in this setting. The purpose of this study is to examine age and racial differences in the presentation and treatment of GAD in medical patients. Participants were recruited from one family medicine clinic and one internal medicine clinic. The prevalence of GAD was lowest for older adults. Age differences were found in the presentation of GAD, with young adults reporting greater cognitive symptoms of anxiety, negative affect, and depressive symptoms. African-Americans with GAD reported more positive affect and lower rates of treatment. The lower levels of negative affect and depressive symptoms reported among older adults may affect the recognition of GAD by primary care physicians. Further research is needed to better understand the causes of racial differences in treatment.
Brenes
Gretchen A
GA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. gbrenes@wfubmc.edu
Knudson
Mark
M
McCall
W Vaughn
WV
Williamson
Jeff D
JD
Miller
Michael E
ME
Stanley
Melinda A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D003710:Demography; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*