Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and their relationship with other coronary artery disease risk factors: A population-based study on 5900 residents in Southeast Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety and depression are reported as the most prevalent psychiatric disorders worldwide. Here, we studied the prevalence of such disorders with co-morbidities of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors in an urban population in Iran.

Methods: 5900 people were selected from 15 to 75-years-olds through single-stage cluster sampling. In addition to examining them for CAD risk factors, Beck anxiety and depression inventories were used to measure anxiety and depression symptoms. The standardized population prevalence of such disorders is reported and the predictors of having anxiety or depression were assessed using Poisson regression model.

Results: Overall 25.4% had moderate and 22.7% had severe anxiety. Severe anxiety significantly and constantly increased by age groups (p=0.01). The risk for anxiety was higher among females (Adjusted Risk Ratio, ARR 1.2), and those who were student/soldier (ARR 1.07). Those with high level of physical activity were at lower risk for anxiety (ARR 0.92). The risk of depression (any level) was higher among females (ARR 1.3), those holding high-school level of education (ARR 1.41), and those who used opium either occasionally (ARR 1.17) or frequently (ARR 1.3). Both anxiety and depression were significantly associated with two main CAD risk factors, low physical activity and opium use.

Conclusion: We found that the majority of residents in Kerman, particularly women, are suffering from mild to server depression and anxiety symptoms. Public health interventions to increase public awareness on such symptoms, screening and delivery of prevention and treatment services are required to prevent from the growing burden of such disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Anxiety; Coronary artery disease; Depression; Risk factors.