183462 Depression and anxiety among U.S. adults with and without disabilities: Findings from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Catherine A. Okoro, MS , Division of Adult and Community Health, Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Tara W. Strine, PhD , Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Lina S. Balluz, ScD, MPH , Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
John E. Crews, DPA , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Ali H. Mokdad, PhD , Division of Adult and Community Health, Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Background: The availability of population-level data to compare current depression, lifetime diagnoses of depression (LTdxD), or lifetime diagnoses of anxiety (LTdxA) among U.S. adults with and without disabilities is almost non-existent.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of current depression, LTdxD, and LTdxA among U.S. adults with and without disabilities; and to examine the sociodemographic, health behavior, and social and emotional support correlates among adults with disabilities.

Methods: Data were analyzed for noninstitutionalized adults in 38 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico that participated in the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios of current depression, LTdxD, and LTdxA among persons with disabilities, by sociodemographics, health behavior, and social and emotional support.

Results: The prevalence of current depression, LTdxD, and LTdxA was significantly higher in adults with disabilities than in those without disabilities. After adjustment for confounders, all three measures had similar associations with age, female gender, employment status, marital status, and self-rated health. Black, non-Hispanics were consistently less likely to have a current or lifetime diagnosis of depression or anxiety than White, non-Hispanics. All measures were associated with smoking and inadequate emotional support.

Conclusions: U.S. adults with disabilities had an elevated prevalence of current depression, LTdxD, and LTdxA compared to adults without disabilities. Efforts to address the prevalence of depression and anxiety among persons with disabilities are crucial in order to impede the progression of disability.

Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to state the prevalence of current depression, lifetime diagnoses of depression, and lifetime diagnoses of anxiety among U.S. adults with and without disabilities as well as the sociodemographic and health behavior correlates for those with disabilities.

Keywords: Disability, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked as a researcher in chronic disease and health promotion with special emphasise on adults with disabilities for seven years and have published 30+ articles and have previously presented at scientific meetings. I am also currently pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Chronic Disease Epidemiology Poster Session
See more of: Epidemiology