Assessment of anxiety comorbidity in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract EN

Background: Anxiety disorders are a common comorbidity for people with schizophrenia and an important phenomenon, which is overlooked by many psychiatrists such that outcomes of schizophrenia can be affected negatively.

Objectives: The current study considers the commonality of anxiety comorbidity in Ismailia, Egypt and aims to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms in people with schizophrenia.

Gender difference regarding this comorbidity and whether it happens independently of schizophrenia or is related to schizophrenia symptoms are also explored.

We assessed the association between comorbid anxiety disorders and sociodemographic characteristics as well as variable clinical factors.

Method: A total of 63 outpatients with schizophrenia attending Suez Canal University Hospital were recruited to the study, which followed a descriptive cross-sectional design.

Measures used were the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANNS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and semi-structured interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) for diagnosing anxiety.

Result: Prevalence of anxiety disorders was (57.1%) with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) being the most prevalent.

The level of anxiety symptoms was moderate to severe in almost half of the patients.

Symptoms reported by women were more severe.

There was no significant association between the severity of anxiety symptoms and the severity of schizophrenia symptoms.

Conclusion: Anxiety comorbidity is prevalent in schizophrenia.

Diagnosis of anxiety disorders in schizophrenia is essential; however, it risks being missed at assessment