EPV1710 - Gender differences in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: a cross-sectional multicenter study

EPV1710

Gender differences in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: a cross-sectional multicenter study

 

M. Buoli ^1,*, L. M. Affaticati ², E. Capuzzi ³, F. Colmegna ⁴, M. Clerici ⁵

¹Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, ²University of Milan Bicocca, ³Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, ⁴ASST Bergamo Ovest, Bergamo, ⁵University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy

 

Introduction: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (MDD) is a disabling mental condition, with a prevalence in women twice than men. Despite the implementation of precision and gender medicine, little data are currently available on gender differences in GAD.

Objectives: Purpose of this study is to identify gender differences in clinical features and outcomes of patients affected by GAD to implement individualized treatment strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted. Medical records of GAD patients from three mental health services were reviewed, and socio-demographic and clinical variables were extracted. Continuous and qualitative variables were compared according to gender respectively by unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests (with odds ratio-[OR] calculation where appropriate).

Results: The total sample included 243 patients (162 women and 81 men). Female patients compared to males resulted: to be more frequently married or in partnership (61.7% versus 44.4%; χ²=8.68, p=0.03), to have less frequently cannabis use disorder before GAD onset (0.6% versus 7.4%; χ²=13.71, p=0.01), to have less frequently alcohol use disorder after GAD onset (0.6% versus 6.2%; χ²=13.68, p<0.01), to have more frequently committed attempted suicides (4.9% versus 0.0%; χ²=4.14, p=0.05), to present more often a history of obstetrical complications (low birth weight or preterm birth) (5.5% versus 0.0%; χ²=4.14, p=0.03; OR=1.54).

Conclusions: The results of this study support gender-specific medicine with personalized treatments for males and females with GAD. Males are more likely to engage in substance abuse, while females are more likely to engage in self-harm. Specific psychoeducational interventions should be planned, and pharmacotherapy should be chosen based on their interactions with substances of abuse or their anti-suicidal efficacy. The results of this study need to be confirmed by future research.

 

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared