Association between somatic diseases and symptoms of depression and anxiety among Belgrade University students; [Povezanost izmed{stroke}u somatskih bolesti i simptoma depresije i anksioznosti u populaciji studenata Univerziteta u Beogradu]

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the relationship between somatic health problems and comorbid condition of anxiety and depression. Methods: The cross-sectional study in a population of 2,000 students of the Belgrade University (four schools: Medicine, Geography, Economics, Electrical Engineering) during the period April - June 2010 was conducted. The students were randomly selected. The main instrument for data collection was a standardized epidemiological questionnaire, designed at the Institute of Epidemiology, School of Medicine in Belgrade. Results: According to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), correlation was found between the following somatic diseases and depression: diabetes (p=0.003), hypertension (p=0.007), heart disease (p=0.001), chronic bronchitis (p=0.033), neurological diseases (p=0.013), and gastric or duodenal ulcer (p=0.003). According to the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) a correlation was found between the following somatic diseases and anxiety: diabetes (p=0.020), hypertension (p<0.001), heart disease (p=0.000), chronic bronchitis (p=0.037), bronchial asthma (p=0.049), gastric or duodenal ulcer (p=0.003). Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are common in persons with somatic diseases and have a significant association with physical health. This has considerable implications for somatic diseases management and clinical guidelines.