Comparing network structures of depressive and anxiety symptoms between demographically-matched heart disease and heart disease free samples using propensity score matching: Findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS)

Sep 10, 2024Journal of psychosomatic research

Comparing how depression and anxiety symptoms are connected in people with and without heart disease matched by age and background

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Abstract

The prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety are significantly higher in 1,689 older adults with heart disease compared to a matched control group of 1,689 older adults without heart disease.

Older adults with heart disease experience greater rates of depression and anxiety symptoms.
Network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms are similar between those with and without heart disease.
Key central symptoms include 'Uncontrollable worrying' and 'Trouble relaxing,' while 'Nervousness' and 'Feeling bothered' serve as important links across both groups.
Psychosocial interventions for depression and anxiety may be applicable to older adults with heart disease based on similar symptom networks.

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BACKGROUND: Older adults with heart disease often experience higher rates of comorbid anxiety and depression. This study examined depression and anxiety network structures among older adults with heart disease and their heart disease free peers.

METHODS: Network analyses of secondary cross-sectional data from the 2017 to 2018 wave of CLHLS were used to construct groups of older adults with and without heart disease using propensity score matching. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, respectively. Central symptoms and bridge symptoms were identified using expected influence.

RESULTS: 1689 older adults with heart disease and matched control sample of 1689 older adults without heart disease were included. The prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety were significantly higher in older adults with heart disease compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in overall structures of depression and anxiety network models between two the groups. Key central symptoms and bridge symptoms within these groups were highly similar; GAD 2 "Uncontrollable worrying" and GAD 4 "Trouble relaxing" were identified as the most central symptoms, while GAD 1 "Nervousness" and CESD 1 "Feeling bothered" were identified as key bridge symptoms across both network models.

CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety are more prevalent in older adults with heart disease than demographically-matched heart disease free controls. However, network structures of these symptoms do not differ between two groups. Accordingly, depression and anxiety psychosocial interventions developed for older adults without heart disease may also benefit older adults with heart disease.

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Comparing network structures of depressive and anxiety symptoms between demographically-matched heart disease and heart disease free samples using propensity score matching: Findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS)

Abstract

Full Text

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