Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Physical Health Condition and Disability in an Elderly Korean Population

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effects of anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity on physical disorders and disability in an elderly Korean population. METHODS In total, 1,204 community-dwelling elders were evaluated at baseline, and of these 909 (75%) were re-assessed two years later. Anxiety and depression were identified at baseline using questions from the community version of the Geriatric Mental State diagnostic schedule (GMS-B3). Participants were assessed for functional disability and for 11 physical disorders both at baseline and at follow-up. RESULTS Anxiety alone was associated with the incidence of heart disease, depression alone with the incidence of asthma, and comorbid anxiety and depression with incidence of eyesight problem, persistent cough, asthma, hypertension, heart disease, and gastrointestinal problems. Comorbid anxiety and depression were associated with an increase in the number of physical disorders and the degree of disability during the two-year follow-up, compared to anxiety or depression alone or the absence of anxiety or depression. CONCLUSION Anxiety, depression, and particularly their comorbidity should be assessed in the elderly population considering their longitudinal effects on physical disorders and disability. Future study is required to determine whether interventions aimed at these disorders can mitigate their impacts.