PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN A SPECIALIZED DIABETES CENTER IN TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA, 2020

Background: People with diabetes are almost twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as the general population, but this often remains under-recognized and thus under-treated. Method: Descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of a sample of diabetic patients attending King Abdul-Aziz Specialist Hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Results: The study included (n= 370) diabetic patients. The point prevalence of anxiety was 37.6%. Of whom 5.1% had severe anxiety, 11.1% had moderate anxiety, and 21.4% had mild anxiety symptoms. Anxiety was higher in women (P = 0.000), particularly housewives (P= 0.000), and the obese (P =0.019). Glycaemic control and diabetic complications did not increase anxiety scores. Hypothyroidism was associated with anxiety symptoms (P = 0.014). Comorbid psychiatric illness was associated with higher anxiety (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Diabetic care should incorporate prevention, screening, and treatment for anxiety symptoms by encouraging physical activity and treating comorbid thyroid and psychiatric illnesses.

Keywords: Prevalence, Anxiety, Emotional problems, Diabetes, Saudi Arabia