The 7-year course of depression and anxiety in the general population
Abstract
Rhebergen D, Batelaan NM, de Graaf R, Nolen WA, Spijker J, Beekman ATF, Penninx BWJH. The 7‐year course of depression and anxiety in the general population. Objective: Insight into the long‐term course of depression and anxiety. Method: Data were derived from Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study/Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, epidemiologic surveys in the adult population in the Netherlands. Three hundred and three respondents with depressive and/or anxiety Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) disorder were interviewed, examining the 7‐year course of depression (n = 141), anxiety (n = 102) and the comorbid state (n = 60) and possible prognostic factors. Outcomes were CIDI diagnostic status after 7 years and percentage of time during 7 years with depressive and/or anxiety symptoms, retrospectively assessed by the Life Chart Interview (LCI). Results: After 7 years, 60.7% of the subjects were free from a 12‐month CIDI depression or anxiety diagnosis. The odds were higher for subjects with anxiety and comorbidity compared to subjects with depression. Low physical functioning and high neuroticism predicted the presence of a diagnosis after 7 years. During 7‐year follow‐up, 37.3% of the subjects were free from depressive and anxiety symptoms according to the LCI, 51.8% had symptoms <50% of the time, and 10.9%≥50% of the time. (Comorbid) anxiety resulted in a poorer course. High neuroticism and childhood adversity predicted more follow‐up time with symptoms. Conclusion: Course trajectories were more favorable than expected, although comorbidity resulted in poorer course. Neuroticism, physical functioning, and childhood adversity predicted an unfavorable course.
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MDD with comorbid anxiety disorders is associated with chronic course trajectories and poor clinical outcomes in clinical samples.
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From Patients with anxious depression: overview of prevalence, pathophysiology and impact on course and treatment outcome (2018) · cites this paper as [7]
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- Authors
- Rhebergen, D., Batelaan, N. M., de Graaf, R., Nolen, W. A., Spijker, J., Beekman, A. T. F., & Penninx, B. W. J. H.
- Affiliations
- Amsterdam Public Health (NL)
- University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Rhebergen, D.
- Venue
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-02-07
- Volume
- 123
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 297-306
- ISSN
- 0001-690X (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0447
- OpenAlex
- W2123314135
- Cited by
- 116
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 13.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion)
- VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
- Digital Academic REpository of VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- depression, anxiety, long-term course, remission, comorbidities, neuroticism, physical function, childhood adversity, symptom duration, prognostic factors, general population
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Child, Child Abuse, Chronic Disease, Depressive Disorder, Health Surveys, Humans, Mental Health, Netherlands, Neurotic Disorders, Physical Fitness, Prognosis, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Surveys and Questionnaires, Comorbidity
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