Anxiety and depression in individuals with somatic health problems. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between anxiety disorders and depression and various somatic health problems in the general population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study with survey methods and clinical examinations.

SETTING

The Health Study of Nord-Trøndelag, Norway (the HUNT study).

PARTICIPANTS

60869 individuals aged 20-89 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Anxiety disorder, depression and their comorbidity are categorized based on scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. All somatic health variables are self-reported, while blood pressure, height and weight are measured. Multivariate nominal logistic regression analyses are used to investigate the relationship between somatic variables and the anxiety/depression categories.

RESULTS

Most somatic health variables show a stronger association with comorbid anxiety disorder/depression than with anxiety disorder or depression alone. About one-third of individuals reporting somatic health problems also have anxiety disorder and/or depression.

CONCLUSION

Somatic health problems carry a high risk of both anxiety disorder and depression. Active identification and treatment of these co-occurring mental disorders are of practical importance.