Anxiety disorders, physical illnesses, and health care utilization in older male veterans with Parkinson disease and comorbid depression

J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2012 Dec;25(4):233-9. doi: 10.1177/0891988712466458. Epub 2012 Nov 29.

Abstract

This study examined the rates of anxiety and depressive disorders, physical illnesses, and health service use in male patients 55 years or older with a diagnosis of Parkinson disease who were seen at least twice at the 10 medical centers in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare Network of the South Central region of the United States. Of the 273 male patients diagnosed between October 1, 1997, and September 30, 2009, 62 (22.7%) had a depressive disorder. The overall prevalence of anxiety disorders was 12.8%; patients with comorbid depression had a 5-fold greater prevalence of anxiety disorders than those without depression (35.5% vs 6.2%, P<.0001). Patients with comorbid depression also had increased prevalence of all physical illnesses examined and more outpatient clinic and mental health visits. Patients with Parkinson disease and comorbid depression are more likely to have anxiety disorders and several physical illnesses, to be using antipsychotic and dementia medicines, and to have increased health service utilization than those without depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / epidemiology*
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • United States / epidemiology
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Veterans / psychology
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data*