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BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a common and disabling condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Subsyndromal anxiety (SSA) refers to anxiety symptoms that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder but pose a risk for developing such disorders. We aimed to provide practical recommendations for the treatment of SSA in primary care settings. METHODS: A narrative review was conducted to identify strategies for recognizing and treating patients with SSA. RESULTS: The recommendations for treating SSA include lifestyle modifications such as exercise and stress reduction techniques, psychotherapy, and pharmacological treatments, including natural compounds like the lavender oil extract Silexan. Regular follow-up care is essential to monitor treatment response and address ongoing symptoms. Additionally, the use of the GAD-7 tool is recommended for accurately identifying patients with SSA. CONCLUSION: Implementing these recommendations in primary care can lead to effective treatment of SSA, preventing the development of more severe anxiety disorders. An integrative approach, combining lifestyle modifications, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, including natural compounds, offers significant benefits for managing anxiety.
Anxiety is prevalent and disablingSubsyndromal anxiety is a risk factor for anxiety disordersSubsyndromal anxiety can be assessed with the GAD-7 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 scale)Subsyndromal anxiety can be treated with life-style modification, psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment, including silexan, a natural compound.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: We previously found large variations in general practitioner (GP) hypertension treatment probability in oldest-old (>80 years) between countries. We wanted to explore whether differences in country-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden and life expectancy could explain the differences. DESIGN: This is a survey study using case-vignettes of oldest-old patients with different comorbidities and blood pressure levels. An ecological multilevel model analysis was performed. SETTING: GP respondents from European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN) countries, Brazil and New Zeeland. SUBJECTS: This study included 2543 GPs from 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GP treatment probability to start or not start antihypertensive treatment based on responses to case-vignettes; either low (<50% started treatment) or high (≥50% started treatment). CVD burden is defined as ratio of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to ischemic heart disease and/or stroke and total DALYs lost per country; life expectancy at age 60 and prevalence of oldest-old per country. RESULTS: Of 1947 GPs (76%) responding to all vignettes, 787 (40%) scored high treatment probability and 1160 (60%) scored low. GPs in high CVD burden countries had higher odds of treatment probability (OR 3.70; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.00-4.57); in countries with low life expectancy at 60, CVD was associated with high treatment probability (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.12-4.25); but not in countries with high life expectancy (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.56-1.98). CONCLUSIONS: GPs' choice to treat/not treat hypertension in oldest-old was explained by differences in country-specific health characteristics. GPs in countries with high CVD burden and low life expectancy at age 60 were most likely to treat hypertension in oldest-old. Key Points ⢠General practitioners (GPs) are in a clinical dilemma when deciding whether (or not) to treat hypertension in the oldest-old (>80 years of age). ⢠In this study including 1947 GPs from 29 countries, we found that a high country-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden (i.e. myocardial infarction and/or stroke) was associated with a higher GP treatment probability in patients aged >80 years. ⢠However, the association was modified by country-specific life expectancy at age 60. While there was a positive association for GPs in countries with a low life expectancy at age 60, there was no association in countries with a high life expectancy at age 60. ⢠These findings help explaining some of the large variation seen in the decision as to whether or not to treat hypertension in the oldest-old.