Screening for Anxiety, Depression and Panic in older adults in a Family Medicine Unit in Sinaloa, Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: The most prevalent mental disorders in Primary Care are Anxiety, Depression and Panic. These are one of the main causes of health demand in hospital stay services. Objective: to determine the frequency of mental disorders in older adults at the Family Medicine Unit No. 35, Culiacán, Sinaloa, México in the period from March to November 2024. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Older adults aged 60 to 75 years without a diagnosis of any mental disorder or syndrome were included. Sample of 379 participants. Simple random probabilistic sampling. A socio-demographic data sheet and the PHQ-4 + PHQ-TP scale were used. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square) p ≤0,05 were used, it adhered to ethical and legal criteria. Results: The average age was 65,59 years. 53,3 % were men, 52 % were married, 50,7 % were currently working, 35,1 % had primary education and 76 % lived in urban areas. 34 % had anxiety, 28,2 % depression and 30,6 % panic. A significant relationship was found between anxiety and marital status (χ²=5,814, p=0,05) and schooling (χ²=12,845, p=0,00). Depression was related to schooling (χ²=18,479, p=0,00) and current job (χ²=8,528, p=0,003). Panic was related to sex (χ²=17,688, p=0,00), marital status (χ²=10,935, p=0,004), current job (χ²=6,273, p=0,001) and education (χ²=13,092, p=0,004). Conclusions: Anxiety was the most common mental disorder among older adults, highlighting the need to promote accessible and effective mental health programs that address the particular needs of this age group.