Mood Disorders in Middle-Aged and Older Veterans With Multimorbidity.

DiNapoli EA, Bramoweth AD, Whiteman KL, Hanusa BH, Kasckow J. Mood Disorders in Middle-Aged and Older Veterans With Multimorbidity. Journal of aging and health. 2017 Jun 1; 29(4):657-668.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• CDA 13-260 – Implementation of Brief Treatments for Insomnia in Primary Care

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: This study identified the prevalence of and relationship between mood disorders and multimorbidity in middle-aged and older veterans. METHOD: Cross-sectional data were obtained from veterans who received primary care services at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System from January 2007 to December 2011 ( n = 34,786). RESULTS: Most veterans had three or more organ systems with chronic disease (95.3%), of which 4.1% had a depressive disorder, 2.5% had an anxiety disorder, and 0.7% had co-occurring depression and anxiety. The odds of having a mood disorder increased with each additional organ system with chronic disease, with odds being the greatest in those with 10 to 13 organ systems with chronic disease. Younger age, female gender, non-married marital status, and having a service connected disability were also significant predictors of having a mood disorder. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest a need to integrate mental health assessment and treatment in chronic health care management for veterans.