Comorbidity of the anxiety disorders in a community-based older population in The Netherlands

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate patterns of comorbidity among the anxiety disorders in a community-based older population: and the relationship of these disorders with major depression, use of alcohol and benzodiazepines, cognitive impairment and chronic somatic illnesses. Method: The data were derived from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) study. A two-stage screening design was adopted to identify respondents with anxiety disorders. Results: In total, 10%, of the elderly with an anxiety diagnosis suffered from two or more anxiety disorders. Major depression (13% vs. 3%), benzodiazepine use (24% vs. 11%) and chronic somatic diseases (12% vs. 7%) were significantly more prevalent in respondents with an anxiety disorder than in respondents without anxiety disorders. Heavy or excessive alcohol intake (5% vs. 4%) and cognitive impairment (11% vs. 13%) were not significantly associated with any anxiety disorder. Conclusion: When anxiety disorders are diagnosed, in older people there is a relatively high probability of comorbid conditions being present.