Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2026 Jun 9;28(3):25m04168. doi: 10.4088/PCC.25m04168.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in patients (aged 18-86 years, not under treatment, and with no prior diagnosis of GAD) attending an underserved primary care outpatient clinic in Higuerote, Venezuela, between October and December 2023.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative, population-based study was conducted. Data were collected via a 49-item closed-question survey that included the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and 16 author-designed yes/no questions on GAD-related risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V26; P < .01 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The study included 440 patients (mean age of 33.8± 15.3 years; 70.2% female); 50.0% of participants presented with mild anxiety, 6.0% with mild-to-moderate anxiety, and 44.0% with moderate-to-severe anxiety. Psychosocial stress, reported by 299 patients (67.9%), was strongly associated with anxiety severity (odds ratio [OR] =124.6; 99% CI, 29.3-529.6; P<.001). Among those with moderate-to-severe anxiety, 85.7% (n=192; OR= 641.0; 99% CI, 138.5-2,966.8; P<.001) reported anxiety episodes, and 90.0% (n= 180; OR= 74.9; 99% CI, 30.2-185.7; P<.001) reported panic attacks. Alcohol consumption (71.8%, n=316) was significantly associated with anxiety severity (P<.001). Family history of anxiety (60.0%, n=264) and depression (51.8%, n=228) were also significantly associated with anxiety severity (P<.01). While SARS-CoV-2 was infection was significantly associated with anxiety severity (OR=1.9; 99% CI, 1.2-3.1; P<.001), history of traumatic brain injury was not (P = .12).
Conclusions: This study revealed a statistically significant high prevalence of GAD in the underserved population of Higuerote, Venezuela. These results show the need for updated mental health epidemiologic data, surveillance, and individualized community-based strategies in disadvantaged/marginalized populations, by empowering local psychiatric workforces through data-driven, context-specific care initiatives.
Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2026;28(3):25m04168.
Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.
PMID:42284562 | DOI:10.4088/PCC.25m04168
