The prognosis and incidence of social phobia in an elderly population. A 5-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prognosis and incidence of social fears and phobia in an elderly population sample followed for 5 years.


METHODS
A general population sample (N = 612) of non-demented men (baseline age 70) and women (baseline age 70 and 78-86) was investigated in 2000-2001 and in 2005-2006 with semi-structured psychiatric examinations including the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Social phobia was diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria.


RESULTS
Among nine individuals with DSM-IV social phobia in 2000, 5 (55.6%) had no social fears in 2005, and 1 (11.1%) still met the criteria for DSM-IV social phobia. Among individuals without DSM-IV social phobia in 2000 (N = 603), 12 (2.0%) had DSM-IV social phobia in 2005.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings challenge the notion that social phobia is a chronic disorder with rare occurrence in old age.
Karlsson
B
B
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. karlsson.bjorn@gmail.com <karlsson.bjorn@gmail.com>
Sigström
R
R
Waern
M
M
Ostling
S
S
Gustafson
D
D
Skoog
I
I
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011379:Prognosis; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012931:Social Environment; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology