Prevalence and incidence of anxiety disorders in diabetic patients: a national population-based cohort study

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and incidence of anxiety disorders among diabetic patients in Taiwan. Methods: Study subjects were identified by at least one service claim for ambulatory or inpatient care with a principal diagnosis of anxiety disorders and at least two service claims for ambulatory care or one service claim for inpatient care with a principal diagnosis of diabetes from 2000 to 2004 in the National Health Insurance database. Results: The 1-year prevalence rate of anxiety disorders among diabetic patients was 128.76 per 1000 in 2000, and the cumulative prevalence increased to 289.89 per 1000 in 2004. Diabetic patients had a higher cumulative prevalence and annual incidence than the general population throughout the observation period. A higher prevalence was associated with age (>= 65, 55-64), female sex and low income by multiple logistic regression analysis. Cox regression analysis revealed that a higher incidence was associated with female sex and low income. Conclusions: The prevalence and annual incidence density of anxiety disorders in diabetic patients were significantly higher than in patients with mental illness only in the general population. Female diabetic patients had a higher prevalence and incidence density of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders in diabetic patients were more prevalent in elderly women and in those with low income. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.