Generalized anxiety disorder comorbidities: Panic and depressive disorder

Abstract

Introduction

It has been well documented that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can co-occur with mood disorders and other anxious disorders, particularly panic disorder (PD). These comorbidities can complicate therapeutic management and burden the prognosis.

Aim

To highlight the relationship between GAD and panic and depressive disorders.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study, among 250 subjects consulting in 6 primary care units in Sfax, Tunisia. These participants, randomly chosen, were asked to answer a questionnaire after their consent. The diagnosis of GAD and PD were assessed by the “Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview” of the DSM-IV. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the “Beck Depression Inventory” (BDI).

Results

The average age was 39 years. The sex ratio M/F was 1/2.

The GAD was diagnosed in 10.8% of participants. The mean IDB score was 3.8. According to this scale, a mild depression was noted in 23.6%, moderate 12% and severe in 2.8% of cases. The GAD was statistically associated with psychiatric histories (P = 0.009), particularly depression disorder (P = 0.004) and the history of suicide attempt (P < 0.001).

The IDB score was significantly higher in participants with GAD (P < 0.001). Among them, 74% presented moderate to severe depression.

GAD co-occurs with PD in 22.2% of cases. This association was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Participants presenting GAD- PD comorbidity are at higher risk of developing depression (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

One must always think to screen comorbidities in the presence of either diagnosis, in order to ensure a better management.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.