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Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

Published in:

01-06-2009

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Medical Patients: Diagnostic Recognition, Mental Health Management and Service Utilization

Authors: Jessica Calleo, Melinda A. Stanley, Anthony Greisinger, Oscar Wehmanen, Michael Johnson, Diane Novy, Nancy Wilson, Mark Kunik

Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings | Issue 2/2009

Abstract

Background Primary care physicians often treat older adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Objective To estimate physician diagnosis and recognition of anxiety and compare health service use among older adults with GAD with two comparison samples with and without other DSM diagnoses. Methods Participants were 60+ patients of a multi-specialty medical organization. Administrative database and medical records were reviewed for a year. Differences in frequency of health service use were analyzed with logistic regression and between-subjects analysis of covariance. Results Physician diagnosis of GAD was 1.5% and any anxiety was 9%, and recognition of anxiety symptoms was 34% in older adults with GAD. After controlling for medical comorbidity, radiology appointments were increased in the GAD group relative to those with and without other psychiatric diagnoses, χ² (2, N = 225) = 4.75, p < .05. Conclusions Most patients with anxiety do not have anxiety or symptoms documented in their medical records.

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Title: Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Medical Patients: Diagnostic Recognition, Mental Health Management and Service Utilization
Authors: Jessica Calleo
Melinda A. Stanley
Anthony Greisinger
Oscar Wehmanen
Michael Johnson
Diane Novy
Nancy Wilson
Mark Kunik
Publication date: 01-06-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 1068-9583
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3572
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-008-9144-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Medical Patients: Diagnostic Recognition, Mental Health Management and Service Utilization

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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