Screening for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Adults who visited an Outpatient Clinic in a Low-Resource Setting

Abstract

PURPOSE:This study aimed to screen for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in older adults who visited the outpatient clinic of a general hospital in Lima, Peru. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study between January and March 2014 in the outpatient services of the Cayetano Heredia Hospital (HCH). Adults aged ³60 years and who provided written informed consent were included. Patients with communication difficulties and cognitive impairment were excluded. We screened for GAD with a Spanish version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). In addition, other variables such as depressive symptoms, independence in performing daily activities and social support were explored. RESULTS:Five hundred twenty-six older adults participated, 84.6% were between 60-79 years and 15.4% were ≥80 years. A positive screening for GAD was present in 23.2%, moderate-severe depressive symptoms in 11.7% and mild depressive symptoms in 33.8%. Older adults with moderate-severe depressive symptoms had 31.42 times the prevalence of a positive screen for GAD compared to those without depressive symptoms. In addition, older adults with social problem had 3.77 times the prevalence of a positive screen for GAD compared to those with adequate social support. CONCLUSION: The screening for GAD was positive in almost one-quarter of older adults who visited the outpatient clinic of a general hospital. Depressive symptoms were present in approximately half of the study population.