Anxious and Depressive Disorders - Frequency and Comorbidity

PROFESSIONAL PAPER SUMMARY Introduction: Clinical experience and epidemiological, clinical international studies show a high prevalence and significance of psychiatric co- morbidity of depression and anxiety disorders. Goal: The goal of this study was to analyze the comorbidity of anxiety disorders and depression in patients at a Psychiatric Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University (CCUS), and examine the demographic profile of the patients. Material and methods: The study included 1202 patients with different diagnoses, hospitalized at the Psychiatric Clinic CCUS from January 1st 2010 to December 31st 2010. Of this total was selected 491 patients with depressive and anxiety disorders. The intensity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), with 17 items, and anxiety symptoms were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory Scale with 21 items. The study was retrospective, clinical and epidemiological. Results: Of the total number of patients (1202) 424 (35.3%) patients had depressive disorders and anxiety disorders in 57 (4.7%). Comorbidity of these disorders occurs in 10 (0.8%) of patients. Depressive disorders were more present among males (89.1%), while the anxiety disorders and comorbidity in women with 13% and 3%. Depressive disorders are more common (91.7%) among older respondents (over 65 years) and an anxiety up to 25 years of age (25%). Comorbidity was present in 2.6% in age from 26-45 years. Smallest representation had the category of pupils/students with depression, and respondents with university education, which are mostly represented with anxiety disorders. According to duration of hospitalization is highest for depression (over 90 days) and shortest in the case of anxiety (30 days). Conclusion: The results of clinical and epidemiological studies indicate a trend that anxiety disorders and depression occur in comorbidity (simultaneous or alternating) more often than other psychiatric disorders. Clinical experience and epidemiological, clinical international studies show a high prevalence and significance of psychiatric comorbidity of depression and anxiety disorders. Severely depressed and anxious patients have reduced capacity for work, and as such represent a considerable burden to family, community and society. Proper diagnosis, monitoring and treatment leads to better and higher quality of life. Required is a further research of this complex phenomenon on a larger sample in order to improve prevention that is still inefficient.