About 14 million U.S. adults suffer from anxiety disorders. Statistics show that over 15 percent of U.S. adults will experience severe anxiety or "panic attacks" in their lifetime. Anxiety can occur in response to severe stress or an underlying medical illness. Now research reports that nearly one in five adults may have untreated anxiety disorders. The study authors have developed a brief survey that can help doctors identify and treat patients with anxiety disorders.
The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, investigated the prevalence of anxiety disorders in primary care. Researchers at the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care in Indianapolis analyzed the data of 965 primary care patients, ages 18 to 77, between November 2004 and June 2005. The researchers developed a survey for doctors to use to help screen patients for anxiety disorders. Completed surveys and psychiatric interviews were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that nearly 20 percent of the participants had an anxiety disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Many of the participants were diagnosed with more than one type of anxiety disorder. Furthermore, 41 percent of the participants were not being treated for their anxiety disorder.
"Anxiety disorders are prevalent, disabling, and often untreated in primary care," the study authors write. "A 2-item screening test may enhance detection."
REFERENCES:
1. Kroenke K et al. Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Ann Intern Med 2007 Mar 6;146(5):317-25.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on March 10, 2007 03:58 PM
