Anxiety in persons 75 and older: findings from a tri-ethnic population

Little research has been reported about anxiety in older populations. We assessed the prevalence of anxiety and examined associations between anxiety and sociodemographic, physical, mental, and functional health characteristics in an older tri-ethnic population.

A cross-sectional, population-based study of older, noninstitutionalized non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics was conducted from the baseline assessment of the Health of the Public (HoP) database. Measurements included a self-report anxiety scale and physical, mental, and functional health. Data were analyzed with general linear models and logistic regression models.

Overall, 31.4% reported anxiety (score > or = 45); 32.3% of woman and 30.5% of men (P=.67). Older Hispanics (22.2%) reported the lowest prevalence of anxiety followed by non-Hispanic Blacks (26.6%) and non-Hispanic Whites (44.3%) (P=.0001). Common predictors of anxiety seen after linear and logistic regression included being married, White, and increasing number of medications and depressive symptoms.

Anxiety is prevalent in older adults. The findings also indicate higher rates of anxiety in older non-Hispanic Whites compared with older non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics.