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Joint hypermobility is also associated with anxiety disorders in the elderly population
Author(s) -
BulbenaCabré Andrea,
Rojo Conxita,
Pailhez Guillem,
Buron Maso Emma,
MartínLopez Luis Miguel,
Bulbena Antonio
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.4733
Subject(s) - anxiety , joint hypermobility , medicine , population , mood disorders , cross sectional study , psychiatry , anxiety disorder , quality of life (healthcare) , psychosocial , mood , logistic regression , general health questionnaire , physical therapy , demography , clinical psychology , nursing , environmental health , pathology , sociology
Background Anxiety disorders (AD) are very prevalent in the elderly, tend to compromise quality of life, and generate substantial costs. Considering that the prevention and early detection of anxiety may be relevant to increase health gains in older adults, it would be of great interest to identify whether the joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is also related to anxiety disorders in this age range. Methods Cross‐sectional data was collected in a sample of 108 subjects in a rural town in Spain. Instruments included Spielberger STAI, a modified Wolpe Fear Survey Schedule, General health Questionnaire (GHQ)‐28, and the anxiety and mood disorders section of the SCID, to assess past year prevalence of anxiety disorders. JHS was evaluated by trained examiners using the “Hospital del Mar criteria”. Results Among the 108 subjects (55% women, 45% men) over 60 years old, 21.3% meet criteria for JHS. These subjects scored significantly higher in both State ( F = 5.53; p = 0.02) and Trait ( F = 4.68; p = 0.03) anxiety and the GHQ 28 ( F = 6.29; p = 0.01). Compared with non JHS subjects, they had more AD (34.8% vs. 11.8%; x 2 = 6.90; p = 0.02) and mood disorders (30.4% vs. 10.6%; x 2 = 5.65; p = 0.041) in the past year prevalence. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both JHS (β = 0.196; p = 0.04) and fears (β = 0.34; p = 0.001) are predictors of AD ( r 2 = 188; p = 0.001) in this population. Conclusions Joint hypermobility syndrome is associated with anxiety in the elderly population, and it may be used as a physical marker for AD among subjects within this age range. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.