Generalized anxiety disorder: epidemiology, burden, and comorbid depression

OBJECTIVE: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common long-term psychiatric disorder with varying prevalence in epidemiological studies. The burden of GAD is high and associated risk factors are not well documented in the general population. METHODS: This observational retrospective study of US adult patients with GAD used Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database to explore epidemiology, patient characteristics, risk factors, and disease burden. Adults with GAD were matched with a control general population. RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Risk factors, particularly depressive symptoms, should be acknowledged during the diagnosis and management of patients with GAD to support optimal clinical outcomes.