Andrea Bulbena-Cabré1,2,3,4, Conxita Rojo1, Guillem Pailhez1,5, Emma Buron Maso1,4, Luis Miguel Martín-Lopez1,5,6, Antonio Bulbena1,5,6. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine (UAB), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. 3. VA Bronx Health Care System, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, New York, NY, USA. 4. Doctorate Program, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 5. Mar Health Park, Neuropsychiatry and Drug Addiction Institute (INAD), Barcelona, Spain. 6. Centro de Investigación en red de Salud Mental, (CIBERSAM), Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders (AD) are very prevalent in the elderly, tend to compromise quality of life, and generate substantial costs. Considering that the prevention and early detection of anxiety may be relevant to increase health gains in older adults, it would be of great interest to identify whether the joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is also related to anxiety disorders in this age range. METHODS: Cross-sectional data was collected in a sample of 108 subjects in a rural town in Spain. Instruments included Spielberger STAI, a modified Wolpe Fear Survey Schedule, General health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28, and the anxiety and mood disorders section of the SCID, to assess past year prevalence of anxiety disorders. JHS was evaluated by trained examiners using the "Hospital del Mar criteria". RESULTS: Among the 108 subjects (55% women, 45% men) over 60 years old, 21.3% meet criteria for JHS. These subjects scored significantly higher in both State (F = 5.53; p = 0.02) and Trait (F = 4.68; p = 0.03) anxiety and the GHQ 28 (F = 6.29; p = 0.01). Compared with non JHS subjects, they had more AD (34.8% vs. 11.8%; x2 = 6.90; p = 0.02) and mood disorders (30.4% vs. 10.6%; x2 = 5.65; p = 0.041) in the past year prevalence. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both JHS (β = 0.196; p = 0.04) and fears (β = 0.34; p = 0.001) are predictors of AD (r2 = 188; p = 0.001) in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Joint hypermobility syndrome is associated with anxiety in the elderly population, and it may be used as a physical marker for AD among subjects within this age range.
BACKGROUND:Anxiety disorders (AD) are very prevalent in the elderly, tend to compromise quality of life, and generate substantial costs. Considering that the prevention and early detection of anxiety may be relevant to increase health gains in older adults, it would be of great interest to identify whether the joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is also related to anxiety disorders in this age range. METHODS: Cross-sectional data was collected in a sample of 108 subjects in a rural town in Spain. Instruments included Spielberger STAI, a modified Wolpe Fear Survey Schedule, General health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28, and the anxiety and mood disorders section of the SCID, to assess past year prevalence of anxiety disorders. JHS was evaluated by trained examiners using the "Hospital del Mar criteria". RESULTS: Among the 108 subjects (55% women, 45% men) over 60 years old, 21.3% meet criteria for JHS. These subjects scored significantly higher in both State (F = 5.53; p = 0.02) and Trait (F = 4.68; p = 0.03) anxiety and the GHQ 28 (F = 6.29; p = 0.01). Compared with non JHS subjects, they had more AD (34.8% vs. 11.8%; x2 = 6.90; p = 0.02) and mood disorders (30.4% vs. 10.6%; x2 = 5.65; p = 0.041) in the past year prevalence. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both JHS (β = 0.196; p = 0.04) and fears (β = 0.34; p = 0.001) are predictors of AD (r2 = 188; p = 0.001) in this population. CONCLUSIONS:Joint hypermobility syndrome is associated with anxiety in the elderly population, and it may be used as a physical marker for AD among subjects within this age range.
Authors: Janneke van Die-de Vries; Jeanine Verbunt; Stephan Ramaekers; Patrick Calders; Raoul Engelbert Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-25 Impact factor: 3.390