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

Purpose: Little research has been reported about anxiety in older populations. We assessed the prevalence of anxiety and examined associations between anxiety and socio-demographic, physical, mental, and functional health characteristics in an older tri-ethnic population. Design and methods: 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. Results: Overall, 31.4% reported anxiety (score ≥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. Implications: 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.