Anxiety in Late-Life Depression: Determinants of the Course of Anxiety and Complete Remission

D.C. van der Veen*, B. Gulpers, W. van Zelst, S. Köhler, H.C. Comijs, R.A. Schoevers, R.C.O. Voshaar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Studies on the course of depression often ignore comorbid anxiety disorders or anxiety symptoms. We explored predictors of complete remission (no depression nor anxiety diagnoses at follow-up) and of the course of comorbid anxiety symptoms. We additionally tested the hypothesis that the course of anxiety disorders and symptoms in depressed patients is explained by negative life-events in the presence of high neuroticism or a low sense of mastery. Methods: An observational study of 270 patients (>= 60 years) diagnosed with major depressive disorder and 2-year follow-up data, who participated in the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older persons (NESDO). Sociodemographic, somatic, psychiatric, and treatment variables were first explored as possible predictors. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine their predictive value concerning complete remission. Subsequently, negative life-events, personality and their interaction were tested as potential predictors. Linear Mixed Models were used to assess whether the personality traits modified the effect of early and recent life-events, and time and their interactions on the course of the anxiety symptoms. Results: A total of 135 of 270 patients achieved complete remission. Depressed patients with a comorbid anxiety disorder at baseline less often achieved complete remission: 38 of 103 (37.0%) versus 97 of 167 (58.1%). The severity of depressive and anxiety symptomatology, the presence of a comorbid anxiety disorder, and a poorer physical health at baseline predicted nonremission. In line with our hypothesis, a less favorable course of self-reported anxiety symptoms was associated with more recent negative life-events, but only among patients with a high level of neuroticism or a low level of mastery. Conclusion: Comorbid anxiety in depression as a negative impact on complete remission at 2-year follow-up. The course of anxiety severity seems dependent on the interaction of personality traits and life-events.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)336-347
Number of pages12
JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2021

Keywords

  • Comorbid anxiety
  • late-life depression
  • negative life events
  • personality

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