Abstract
This review aimed to systematically review observational studies investigating the longitudinal association between anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL). A systematic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, NHS EED and EconLit) as well as forward/backward reference searches were conducted to identify observational studies on the longitudinal association between anxiety, depression and QoL. Studies were synthesized narratively. Additionally, a random-effects meta-analysis was performed using studies applying the mental and physical summary scores (MCS, PCS) of the Short Form Health Survey. The review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO and a study protocol was published. n = 47 studies on heterogeneous research questions were included, with sample sizes ranging from n = 28 to 43,093. Narrative synthesis indicated that QoL was reduced before disorder onset, dropped further during the disorder and improved with remission. Before onset and after remission, QoL was lower in comparison to healthy comparisons. n = 8 studies were included in random-effects meta-analyses. The pooled estimates of QoL at follow-up (FU) were of small to large effect sizes and showed that QoL at FU differed by disorder status at baseline as well as by disorder course over time. Disorder course groups differed in their MCS scores at baseline. Effect sizes were generally larger for MCS relative to PCS. The results highlight the relevance of preventive measures and treatment. Future research should consider individual QoL domains, individual anxiety/depressive disorders as well as the course of both over time to allow more differentiated statements in a meta-analysis.
Highlights
The World Health Organization [1] estimates that 264 million people worldwide were suffering from an anxiety disorder and 322 million from a depressive disorder in 2015, corresponding to prevalence rates of 3.6% and 4.4%
In light of the previous findings, this study aims to add to the present literature by systematically synthesizing evidence from observational studies on the longitudinal association between anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL) across all age groups in samples who do not have other specific illnesses and do not receive specific treatments
The results indicate that QoL is lower before the onset of anxiety and depressive disorders, further reduces upon onset of the disorders and generally improves with remission to pre-morbid levels
Summary
The World Health Organization [1] estimates that 264 million people worldwide were suffering from an anxiety disorder and 322 million from a depressive disorder in 2015, corresponding to prevalence rates of 3.6% and 4.4%. Anxiety and depression have been associated with adverse societal and individual correlates, including higher health care costs [9,10,11] and an increased risk for physical comorbidities, such as cardiovascular illnesses [12,13]. They have been linked to a reduced quality of life (QoL) in numerous cross-sectional as well as longitudinal studies in which they significantly predicted QoL outcomes [14,15,16,17,18]. Some very recent studies examined these associations among quite different samples (e.g., [22,23,24,25])
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