Prevalence of distress, comorbid conditions and well being in the general population

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this paper are to determine the prevalence of distress in the community, to identify its determinants and to assess its relationship to somatic conditions and subjective well being.

METHODS: Distress and associated factors were investigated in a random sample of 5000 participants (35-74 years) of a community-based, prospective, observational cohort study in western Mid-Germany ("Gutenberg Heart Study") between 04/2007 and 10/2008. The sample was stratified 1:1 for gender and residence and in equal strata for decades of age. Data were assessed by self-report instruments, interviews and medical examination.

RESULTS: We found a prevalence rate for depression of 7.2% (6.5-8.0%), social anxiety 7.0% (6.3-7.7%), panic 4.6% (4.0-5.2%), generalized anxiety 3.4% (2.9-3.9%), and Type D personality 22.1% (21.0-23.2%). Mental conditions declined by age. Depression was related to diabetes (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.26-3.15), dyslipidemia (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.02-1.79), coronary heart disease (CHD; OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.04-3.39), and the history of stroke (OR=2.43, 95% CI=1.02-5.76). Panic was related to the history of myocardial infarction (OR=2.46, 95% CI=1.15-5.25), and generalized anxiety to obesity (OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.11-2.44). Mental distress was unrelated to hypertension, atrial fibrillation and cancer. In ordinal logistic regression subjective physical and mental well being were associated with anxiety, depression and Type D personality.

CONCLUSIONS: While mental conditions are highly prevalent, especially depression is associated with several somatic conditions. Mental and physical well being are strongly related to mental conditions. Future work should take into account comorbid conditions when identifying the impact of depression on CHD.