Abstract
BackgroundThe mind-body nexus has been a topic of growing interest. Further data are however required to understand the specific relationship between mood and anxiety disorders and individual physical health conditions, and to verify whether these psychiatric disorders are linked to overall medical burden.MethodsThis study examined data collected from 942 men, 20 to 97 years old, participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. A lifetime history of mood and anxiety disorders was identified using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Research Version, Non-patient edition (SCID-I/NP). The presence of medical conditions (lifetime) was self-reported and confirmed by medical records, medication use or clinical data. Anthropometric measurements and socioeconomic status (SES) were determined and information on medication use and lifestyle was obtained via questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to test the associations.ResultsAfter adjustment for age, socioeconomic status, and health risk factors (body mass index, physical activity and smoking), mood disorders were associated with gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), recurrent headaches, blackouts and/or epilepsy, liver disorders and pulmonary disease in older people, whilst anxiety disorders were significantly associated with thyroid, GORD and other gastrointestinal disorders, and psoriasis. Increased odds of high medical burden were associated with both mood and anxiety disorders.ConclusionsOur study provides further population-based evidence supporting the link between mental and physical illness in men. Understanding these associations is not only necessary for individual management, but also to inform the delivery of health promotion messages and health care.
Highlights
The mind-body nexus has been a topic of growing interest
We aimed to describe the relationship between comorbid mental and physical illness in a large, representative sample of men residing in Australia, utilising structured clinical interviews, medical records, and clinical and self-reported data collected as part of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS) [51]
Mood disorder After adjustments for age, mood disorder was associated with increased odds of gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), recurrent headaches, syncope and seizures and liver disorders
Summary
Further data are required to understand the specific relationship between mood and anxiety disorders and individual physical health conditions, and to verify whether these psychiatric disorders are linked to overall medical burden. Rates of depression and anxiety are generally higher among the physically ill than in the general population; results vary according to the type and severity of the chronic disease and methods of ascertainment [3,4]. The co-occurrence of mood or anxiety disorders and physical illness worsens the impact of symptom burden [36], impacts disease course, links to the deteriorating patient’s health status and functioning [7,37], affects medication response and treatment adherence [38], and increases the risk of complications [39] and even death [37]. The comorbidity between mental and physical illness is relevant in terms of role impairment and work performance [24], as well as quality of life and health service use and costs [40]
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