title: Trajectories of functioning after remission from anxiety disorders: 2-year course and outcome predictors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anxiety disorders are associated with substantial functional limitations but the course of functioning following symptom remission remains largely unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), we examined the 2-year trajectories of functioning in participants with chronic (n = 586) or remitting anxiety disorders (n = 385) and in healthy controls (n = 585). In participants with remitting anxiety disorders, we identified predictors of functioning from among sociodemographic, clinical and vulnerability variables. Data were analysed using linear mixed models (LMMs). Functioning was assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO DAS II).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, participants with remitting anxiety disorders functioned significantly better than those with chronic anxiety disorders, but significantly worse than controls. In both anxiety disorder groups, most impairment was reported in social functioning, occupational functioning and cognition. During the follow-up, functioning improved in both groups, probably due to treatments received. Participants who achieved symptom remission experienced moderate improvements in social functioning and cognition but not in occupational functioning. Of those who remitted, 45.8% reported functioning scores similar to healthy controls whereas 28.5% still functioned at the level of those with chronic anxiety disorders. Worse functioning was predicted by severe anxiety disorders, use of psychological treatment, co-morbid depressive disorders and maladaptive personality traits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In anxiety disorders, symptom remission is accompanied by improvements in functioning but significant functional impairments may persist because of co-morbid disorders, lower functioning prior to the onset of the anxiety disorder or residual subthreshold anxiety symptoms.
authors: Athena Institute, Department of Innovation in Health and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Iancu
authors: Department of Psychiatry and EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ InGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Batelaan
authors: Athena Institute, Department of Innovation in Health and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: M B M
authors: MB
authors: Zweekhorst
authors: Athena Institute, Department of Innovation in Health and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: J F G
authors: JF
authors: Bunders
authors: Department of Psychiatry and EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ InGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Veltman
authors: Department of Psychiatry and EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ InGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: B W J H
authors: BW
authors: Penninx
authors: Department of Psychiatry and EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre and GGZ InGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: A J L M
authors: AJ
authors: van Balkom
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010551:Personality; D012074:Remission Induction; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors