Anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Deficits in cognitive performance are reported in patients with anxiety disorders, but research is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to investigate cross-sectional associations between cognitive function, with focus on executive function, and anxiety severity in primary care pat...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03618-z |
| _version_ | 1818575289659162624 |
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| author | Jenny Nyberg Malin Henriksson Alexander Wall Torbjörn Vestberg Maria Westerlund Marion Walser Robert Eggertsen Louise Danielsson H. Georg Kuhn N. David Åberg Margda Waern Maria Åberg |
| author_facet | Jenny Nyberg Malin Henriksson Alexander Wall Torbjörn Vestberg Maria Westerlund Marion Walser Robert Eggertsen Louise Danielsson H. Georg Kuhn N. David Åberg Margda Waern Maria Åberg |
| author_sort | Jenny Nyberg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Deficits in cognitive performance are reported in patients with anxiety disorders, but research is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to investigate cross-sectional associations between cognitive function, with focus on executive function, and anxiety severity in primary care patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Methods 189 Swedish patients aged 18–65 years (31% men) with anxiety disorders diagnosed according to Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were included. Severity of anxiety was assessed using Beck Anxiety Inventory self-assessment scale. Digit span, block design and matrix reasoning tests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV, and the design fluency test from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System were used. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to investigate the relationship of anxiety severity and cognitive functioning. Comparisons were also performed to a normed non-clinical population, using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results More severe anxiety was associated with lower digit span test scores (R2 = 0.109, B = -0.040, p = 0.018), but not with block design, matrix reasoning or design fluency tests scores, after adjustment for comorbid major depression in a multivariable model. When compared to a normed population, patients with anxiety performed significantly lower on the block design, digit span forward, digit span sequencing and matrix reasoning tests. Conclusions Severity of anxiety among patients with anxiety disorder was associated with executive functions related to working memory, independently of comorbid major depression, but not with lower fluid intelligence. A further understanding of the executive behavioral control in patients with anxiety could allow for more tailored treatment strategies including medication, therapy and interventions targeted to improve specific cognitive domains. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-15T00:38:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb74ebc398504ff28e06dbacaef57b2b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-15T00:38:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb74ebc398504ff28e06dbacaef57b2b2022-12-21T22:41:44ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2021-12-0121111310.1186/s12888-021-03618-zAnxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional studyJenny Nyberg0Malin Henriksson1Alexander Wall2Torbjörn Vestberg3Maria Westerlund4Marion Walser5Robert Eggertsen6Louise Danielsson7H. Georg Kuhn8N. David Åberg9Margda Waern10Maria Åberg11Section for Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgSchool of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgDepartment of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska InstitutetRegion Västra Götaland, RegionhälsanDepartment of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgSchool of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgDepartment of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgSection for Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgDepartment of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgSchool of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgAbstract Background Deficits in cognitive performance are reported in patients with anxiety disorders, but research is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to investigate cross-sectional associations between cognitive function, with focus on executive function, and anxiety severity in primary care patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Methods 189 Swedish patients aged 18–65 years (31% men) with anxiety disorders diagnosed according to Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were included. Severity of anxiety was assessed using Beck Anxiety Inventory self-assessment scale. Digit span, block design and matrix reasoning tests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV, and the design fluency test from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System were used. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to investigate the relationship of anxiety severity and cognitive functioning. Comparisons were also performed to a normed non-clinical population, using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results More severe anxiety was associated with lower digit span test scores (R2 = 0.109, B = -0.040, p = 0.018), but not with block design, matrix reasoning or design fluency tests scores, after adjustment for comorbid major depression in a multivariable model. When compared to a normed population, patients with anxiety performed significantly lower on the block design, digit span forward, digit span sequencing and matrix reasoning tests. Conclusions Severity of anxiety among patients with anxiety disorder was associated with executive functions related to working memory, independently of comorbid major depression, but not with lower fluid intelligence. A further understanding of the executive behavioral control in patients with anxiety could allow for more tailored treatment strategies including medication, therapy and interventions targeted to improve specific cognitive domains.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03618-zAnxiety disorderExecutive functionCognitive functionPrimary careWechsler adult intelligence scale |
| spellingShingle | Jenny Nyberg Malin Henriksson Alexander Wall Torbjörn Vestberg Maria Westerlund Marion Walser Robert Eggertsen Louise Danielsson H. Georg Kuhn N. David Åberg Margda Waern Maria Åberg Anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study BMC Psychiatry Anxiety disorder Executive function Cognitive function Primary care Wechsler adult intelligence scale |
| title | Anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | anxiety severity and cognitive function in primary care patients with anxiety disorder a cross sectional study |
| topic | Anxiety disorder Executive function Cognitive function Primary care Wechsler adult intelligence scale |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03618-z |
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