Eric Lenze, M.D. Associate Professor of Psychiatry Washington University School of Medicine

transcript

Detecting and treating anxiety Detecting and treating anxiety disorders in the elderly: clinical disorders in the elderly: clinical applications of new research applications of new research

findings findings

Eric Lenze, M.D.Eric Lenze, M.D.Associate Professor of PsychiatryAssociate Professor of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineWashington University School of Medicine

October 2007October 2007

Goals of this lectureGoals of this lecture

Describe research in pharmacologic and Describe research in pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatment of late-life psychotherapeutic treatment of late-life anxiety disorders and anxious depression.anxiety disorders and anxious depression.

Describe detection and management Describe detection and management strategies for these disorders.strategies for these disorders.

Self-Assessment Question 1Self-Assessment Question 1Which of the following should be considered in the Which of the following should be considered in the

differential diagnosis of anxiety symptoms in elderly differential diagnosis of anxiety symptoms in elderly patients?patients?

A. A. Cardiopulmonary and other medical conditionsCardiopulmonary and other medical conditions

B. B. Medication side effectsMedication side effects

C. C. Sedative hypnotic withdrawalSedative hypnotic withdrawal

D. D. All of the aboveAll of the above

E. E. None of the aboveNone of the above

Self-Assessment Question 2Self-Assessment Question 2

What risks are associated with chronic What risks are associated with chronic benzodiazepine use in elderly?benzodiazepine use in elderly?

A. A. DeliriumDelirium

B. B. Cognitive impairmentCognitive impairment

C. C. FallsFalls

D. D. FracturesFractures

E. E. All of the aboveAll of the above

Which of the following may contribute to Which of the following may contribute to the low estimate of prevalence of anxiety the low estimate of prevalence of anxiety

disorders in the elderly?disorders in the elderly?

A. A. Age-related brain changesAge-related brain changes

B. B. Selective increase in mortality among anxiety Selective increase in mortality among anxiety disorder patientsdisorder patients

C. C. Epidemiologic studies do not necessarily Epidemiologic studies do not necessarily capture anxiety as it presents in older adultscapture anxiety as it presents in older adults

Self-Assessment Question 4Self-Assessment Question 4Which of the following contribute to the importance Which of the following contribute to the importance

of identifying and treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder of identifying and treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the elderly? in the elderly?

A. A. Its prevalence may be as high as 7%Its prevalence may be as high as 7%

B. B. It is unlikely to remit without treatmentIt is unlikely to remit without treatment

C. C. Effective pharmacotherapeutic treatment has Effective pharmacotherapeutic treatment has been demonstrated. been demonstrated.

D. D. All of the above All of the above

Self-Assessment Question 5Self-Assessment Question 5Which of the following is true of late-life depression with Which of the following is true of late-life depression with

comorbid anxiety as compared to “pure” depression?comorbid anxiety as compared to “pure” depression?

A. A. Severity of the illness is no different.Severity of the illness is no different.

B. B. Antidepressant treatment response is better Antidepressant treatment response is better when comorbid anxiety is present. when comorbid anxiety is present.

C. C. Comorbid anxiety is associated with greater Comorbid anxiety is associated with greater long-term cognitive decline.long-term cognitive decline.

D.D. All of the aboveAll of the above

How fear works

AmygdalaArousalAcute anxietyPanic attack

Larson et al, 2006

How fear works

Amygdala

Frontal cortex

ArousalArousalAcute anxietyAcute anxietyPanic attackPanic attack

WorryEscape Avoidance

Larson et al, 2006

How fear works

Amygdala

Frontal cortex

ArousalAcute anxietyPanic attack

WorryEscape Avoidance

Larson et al, 2006

Control

Hoehn-Saric et al, 2004

“What if…?”

Frontal cortex Worry +/- AvoidanceControl

Hoehn-Saric et al, 2004

Anxiety disorders have distinct Anxiety disorders have distinct clinical featuresclinical features

FearFear AvoidanceAvoidanceAutonomic Autonomic

ArousalArousal

AnticipatoryAnticipatoryworryworry

PanicPanicattacksattacks

Panic Panic disorderdisorder xx xx xx xx xx

Social , Social , specifc specifc phobiaphobia

xx xx xx xx xx

OCDOCD xx +/-+/-

GADGAD +/-+/- xx

PTSDPTSD xx xx xx

Anxiety disorders have distinct Anxiety disorders have distinct clinical featuresclinical features

Fear AvoidanceAutonomic

Arousal

Anticipatoryworry

Panicattacks

Panic disorder

x x x x x

Social , specifc phobia

x x x x x

OCDOCD xx +/-+/-

GADGAD +/-+/- xx

PTSDPTSD xx xx xx

What do psychiatrists ask about What do psychiatrists ask about late-life anxiety?late-life anxiety?

How important is it?How important is it?

Who sees these cases?Who sees these cases?

Is there something unique about treating Is there something unique about treating this?this?

Prevalence of anxiety disorders in Prevalence of anxiety disorders in older adultsolder adults

Any anxiety d/o

Major depression

Phobia

Beekman et al., 1995, 1998

GAD: chronic, difficult-to-control worryGAD: chronic, difficult-to-control worry ““I can’t turn my mind off”I can’t turn my mind off” ““I’m a worrier”I’m a worrier”

Associated symptoms of GADAssociated symptoms of GAD Sleep disturbanceSleep disturbance FatigueFatigue IrritabilityIrritability Keyed up/on edgeKeyed up/on edge Muscle tensionMuscle tension Difficulty concentrating (elderly may describe Difficulty concentrating (elderly may describe

as memory)as memory)

Early vs. late-onset GADEarly vs. late-onset GAD

"All mylife"

Child Teens 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s

Le Roux, Gatz, & Wetherell, 2005

Aging: increased vulnerability to Aging: increased vulnerability to sequelae of anxietysequelae of anxiety

50 60 70 80

Declining homeostasis/reserve

childhood adulthood late life very-late life

Declining homeostasis/reserveDeclining homeostasis/reserve

1. HPA axis functioning

2. Cognitive reserve, brain volumes

3. Functional ability, physical performance

4. Systemic functions (cardiac, renal, etc)

50 60 70 80

Declining homeostasis/reserveDeclining homeostasis/reserveAnxiety

50 60 70 80

Anxiety

HPA axis hyperactivity

wake wake + 30 noon 4pm 8pm bedtime

Controls (n=41)

GAD (n=68)

Mantella et al, in press

HPA Axis in Late-Life GADHPA Axis in Late-Life GAD

50 60 70 80

AnxietyHPA axis hyperactivity

Neuronal atrophy

50 60 70 80

Anxiety HPA axis hyperactivity

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

50 60 70 80

Anxiety HPA axis hyperactivity

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

Cerebrovascular changes

50 60 70 80

Anxiety

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

?Pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade

50 60 70 80

Anxiety

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

?Decreased neurogenesis

50 60 70 80

Anxiety

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

Treatment-resistance

Comorbidity

50 60 70 80

Anxiety

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

Comorbidity

Cognitive decline

Alzheimers Dz

Depression

50 60 70 80

Anxiety

Depression

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

Comorbidity

Cognitive decline

Alzheimers Dz

Disability

50 60 70 80

Anxiety

Neuronal atrophy

Sympathetic tone

Comorbidity

Cognitive decline

Alzheimers Dz

Disability

MortalityDepression

Comorbidity in late-life depression Comorbidity in late-life depression and anxietyand anxiety

Anxietyalone

w/ comorbiddepression

Depressionalone

w/ comorbidanxiety

Beekman et al., 2000 (LASA)

Anxiety comorbidity and acute Anxiety comorbidity and acute treatment response in LLDtreatment response in LLD

% Remitted

Days To Remission

Baseline GAD

No Baseline GAD

0.00 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Steffens and McQuoid, Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2005; 13:40-47.

Chi-square=7.05, df=1, p = 0.00895% CI hazard ratio = 1.22-3.72

0 20 40 60 80 100 1200.0

Drug + Low BSI (n=35)Drug + High BSI (n=23)Placebo + Low BSI (n=31)Placebo + High BSI (n=20)

Time to Recurrence

Effect of Baseline AnxietyEffect of Baseline Anxietyon Time to Recurrence in MDDon Time to Recurrence in MDD

Andreescu et al, 2007

MDD with comorbid GAD/panic: MDD with comorbid GAD/panic: memory decline over 4 years f/umemory decline over 4 years f/u

baseline 4 years

nonanxious MDD(n=42)

anxious MDD (n=37)

*p=0.05 for group x time comparisonDeLuca et al, 2005

Medications efficacious for GADMedications efficacious for GAD

From clinical trials in young adults:From clinical trials in young adults:

FDA-approved: escitalopram, paroxetine, FDA-approved: escitalopram, paroxetine, venlafaxine XR, duloxetine, buspirone.venlafaxine XR, duloxetine, buspirone.

Also efficacious: other SSRIs, Also efficacious: other SSRIs, benzodiazepines, pregabalin, antihistaminesbenzodiazepines, pregabalin, antihistamines

Prospective controlled studies in Prospective controlled studies in late-life GADlate-life GAD

AgentAgent studystudy LengthLength NN AgeAge Efficacy ResultsEfficacy Results

oxazepamoxazepam Koepke Koepke 19821982 4 wk4 wk 220220 60+60+ oxazepam > oxazepam >

placeboplacebo

ketazolamketazolam Bresolin Bresolin 19881988 30 dy30 dy 6363 66+66+ ketazolam > ketazolam >

placeboplacebo

alpidemalpidem Frattola Frattola 19921992 3 wk3 wk 4040 65+65+ alpidem > placeboalpidem > placebo

abecarnilabecarnil Small 1997Small 1997 6 wk6 wk 182182 60+60+ abecarnil > abecarnil > placeboplacebo

Koepke HH, et al. Psychosomatics. 1982;23:641-645.Bresolin N, et al. Clin Ther. 1988;10:536-546.Frattola L, et al. Clin Neuropharmacol. 1992;15:477-487.Small GW, Bystritsky A. J Clin Psychiatry. 1997;58(suppl):24-29.

Problems With Problems With BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines efficacious BUTefficacious BUT

Already heavily Already heavily prescribed in elderlyprescribed in elderly

Associated with fallsAssociated with falls

PsychotropicPsychotropic

Odds Odds Ratio Ratio of Fallof Fall

BenzodiazepineBenzodiazepine 1.4*1.4*

AntidepressantAntidepressant 0.90.9

AntipsychoticAntipsychotic 1.5*1.5*

Sedative/hypnoticSedative/hypnotic 1.11.1

*P<.05.

Landi F, et al. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005;60:622-626.

Associated with fallsAssociated with falls

Associated with Associated with cognitive impairmentcognitive impairment

*P<.05.

Landi F, et al. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005;60:622-626.

Venlafaxine ER in older GAD ptsVenlafaxine ER in older GAD pts

re venla (n=136)placebo (n=47)

*p < 0.01 for change compared to placebo Katz et al, 2002

Week 8 LOCF Week 8 observed

Citalopram in geriatric anxiety Citalopram in geriatric anxiety disordersdisorders

Lenze et al, Am J Psychiatry, 2005

0 2 4 6 8week of treatment

Citalopram for Geriatric Anxiety Citalopram for Geriatric Anxiety DisordersDisorders

30 subjects received citalopram for up to 30 subjects received citalopram for up to 32 weeks32 weeksSignificant decreases in 4 of the 6 most Significant decreases in 4 of the 6 most common individual symptoms:common individual symptoms: Fatigue/astheniaFatigue/asthenia HeadacheHeadache Gastrointestinal distressGastrointestinal distress PalpitationsPalpitations

Blank S, et al. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;67:468-472.Lenze EJ, et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2005;162:146-150.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety(CBT) for anxiety

Relaxation trainingRelaxation training Slow, deep breathingSlow, deep breathing Progressive muscle relaxationProgressive muscle relaxation ImageryImagery

Changing negative automatic thoughtsChanging negative automatic thoughts Overestimation of riskOverestimation of risk CatastrophizationCatastrophization

Exposure to anxiety-provoking situationsExposure to anxiety-provoking situations e.g., systematic desensitizatione.g., systematic desensitization

Comparison of CBT and attention placebo Comparison of CBT and attention placebo for late-life GADfor late-life GAD

Post-tx 6 month f/u

Placebo

Wetherell et al., 2003

Many elderly persons will prefer Many elderly persons will prefer psychotherapy to medicationpsychotherapy to medication CBT most efficacious in those who can be CBT most efficacious in those who can be

adherent to homework adherent to homework Cognitive impairment can interfereCognitive impairment can interfere

Psychotherapy in late-life GADPsychotherapy in late-life GAD

Wetherell, Hopko et al., 2005; Mohlman & Gorman, 2005

Relaxation training appears to be Relaxation training appears to be the most effective ingredientthe most effective ingredient

Relaxation training

Supportive therapy

Cognitive therapy

Ayers, Sorrell, Thorp, & Wetherell, submitted

Mean effect size in studies comparing active treatments

Comparison of SSRI and CBT for Comparison of SSRI and CBT for late-life GAD and panic disorderlate-life GAD and panic disorder

post-treatment 3month f/u

sertraline

waitlist

Schuurmans et al, 2006

Limitations of medicationsLimitations of medicationsMany respond, few remitMany respond, few remit Construct of “I’m a worrier” does not seem to Construct of “I’m a worrier” does not seem to

change change Many will not accept medicationMany will not accept medication In our current study, many refuse to start In our current study, many refuse to start

Uncertain long-term benefitsUncertain long-term benefits Not thought to have “durable” benefits (i.e., Not thought to have “durable” benefits (i.e.,

maintenance after med discontinuation)maintenance after med discontinuation)

Phobias unlikely to respond to medicationPhobias unlikely to respond to medication Medication could even impair response to Medication could even impair response to

therapytherapy

Possible Possible Risks of SSRIs in ElderlyRisks of SSRIs in ElderlySuicide?Suicide? FDA meta-analysis = protective in age >65FDA meta-analysis = protective in age >65

FallsFalls Association studies, some experimentalAssociation studies, some experimental

BleedingBleeding Particularly in “old-old”, h/o GI bleedParticularly in “old-old”, h/o GI bleed

HyponatremiaHyponatremia Tends to occur within 2 wk of initiationTends to occur within 2 wk of initiation Risk factors: baseline low NaRisk factors: baseline low Na++, on diuretics, on diuretics

Suicidality and SSRIs: effects of ageSuicidality and SSRIs: effects of age

NEW FOR 2007: BONE LOSS!NEW FOR 2007: BONE LOSS!

Pharm management of late-life Pharm management of late-life anxiety disordersanxiety disorders

SSRI seems to be a good first-line choiceSSRI seems to be a good first-line choice Lexapro, Paroxetine, Effexor XR approved by FDALexapro, Paroxetine, Effexor XR approved by FDA Mgmt more important than specific med usedMgmt more important than specific med used

High risk of “side effects” leading to High risk of “side effects” leading to dropoutdropout Anxiety symptoms misperceived as due to Anxiety symptoms misperceived as due to

medication: increased anxiety, GI symptoms, medication: increased anxiety, GI symptoms, fatigue/sedation, restlessnessfatigue/sedation, restlessness

““Medication phobia”Medication phobia”

Start low, go slow – but not too slowStart low, go slow – but not too slow

Detecting anxiety in elderly Detecting anxiety in elderly personspersons

Elders less up-front about anxiety SxElders less up-front about anxiety Sx Asking about anxiety in several ways may Asking about anxiety in several ways may

help (e.g., “anxious”, “worried”, “concerned”)help (e.g., “anxious”, “worried”, “concerned”)““How do you feel in times of stress?”How do you feel in times of stress?”

““What sorts of things do you worry about?”What sorts of things do you worry about?”

““How often do you feel that way?”How often do you feel that way?”

““When you start worrying, what do you do to try When you start worrying, what do you do to try to stop it?”to stop it?”

Managing anxiety about medicationManaging anxiety about medication

Combination of:Combination of: Anticipatory dreadAnticipatory dread Vigilance to interoceptive stimuliVigilance to interoceptive stimuli CatastrophizationCatastrophization

Frequent visits and support, immediate Frequent visits and support, immediate availabilityavailability

Counsel in advance about side effectsCounsel in advance about side effects Likely to be temporary, unlikely to be toxic or Likely to be temporary, unlikely to be toxic or

incapacitatingincapacitating

When they do get side effects…When they do get side effects…

Stay calmStay calm

Remember the attribution errorRemember the attribution error But: don’t argue about their validityBut: don’t argue about their validity

Manage the catastrophizationManage the catastrophization ““How is it today?” “Is it tolerable right now?” How is it today?” “Is it tolerable right now?”

“Are you mainly worried that it will get worse?”“Are you mainly worried that it will get worse?”

Be persistentBe persistent Hear them out, then: “let’s keep going”Hear them out, then: “let’s keep going”

When to choose psychotherapyWhen to choose psychotherapy

Motivated, cognitively intact patientMotivated, cognitively intact patient

PhobiasPhobias Consider delaying medication until after TxConsider delaying medication until after Tx

Will not accept medicationWill not accept medication

Partial response to medicationPartial response to medication

Availability of high-quality psychotherapyAvailability of high-quality psychotherapy

SummarySummary

Late-life anxiety disorders are important.Late-life anxiety disorders are important. CommonCommon Different risk factorsDifferent risk factors Probably more vulnerable to harmful effectsProbably more vulnerable to harmful effects Anxious depression is a particularly severe, Anxious depression is a particularly severe,

treatment-resistant illness.treatment-resistant illness.

Detection: ask, gently.Detection: ask, gently.

Management: be pleasantly persistent.Management: be pleasantly persistent.

Self-Assessment Question 1Self-Assessment Question 1Which of the following should be considered in the Which of the following should be considered in the

differential diagnosis of anxiety symptoms in elderly differential diagnosis of anxiety symptoms in elderly patients?patients?

A. A. Cardiopulmonary and other medical conditionsCardiopulmonary and other medical conditions

B. B. Medication side effectsMedication side effects

C. C. Sedative hypnotic withdrawalSedative hypnotic withdrawal

What risks are associated with chronic What risks are associated with chronic benzodiazepine use in elderly?benzodiazepine use in elderly?

A. A. DeliriumDelirium

B. B. Cognitive impairmentCognitive impairment

C. C. FallsFalls

D. D. FracturesFractures

E. E. All of the aboveAll of the above

Which of the following may contribute to Which of the following may contribute to the low estimate of prevalence of anxiety the low estimate of prevalence of anxiety

disorders in the elderly?disorders in the elderly?

A. A. Age-related brain changesAge-related brain changes

B. B. Selective increase in mortality among anxiety Selective increase in mortality among anxiety disorder patientsdisorder patients

C. C. Epidemiologic studies do not necessarily Epidemiologic studies do not necessarily capture anxiety as it presents in older adultscapture anxiety as it presents in older adults

Self-Assessment Question 4Self-Assessment Question 4Which of the following contribute to the importance Which of the following contribute to the importance

of identifying and treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder of identifying and treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the elderly? in the elderly?

A. A. Its prevalence may be as high as 7%Its prevalence may be as high as 7%

B. B. It is unlikely to remit without treatmentIt is unlikely to remit without treatment

C. C. Effective pharmacotherapeutic treatment has Effective pharmacotherapeutic treatment has been demonstrated. been demonstrated.

D. D. All of the above All of the above

Self-Assessment Question 5Self-Assessment Question 5Which of the following is true of late-life depression with Which of the following is true of late-life depression with

comorbid anxiety as compared to “pure” depression?comorbid anxiety as compared to “pure” depression?

A. A. Severity of the illness is no different.Severity of the illness is no different.

B. B. Antidepressant treatment response is better Antidepressant treatment response is better when comorbid anxiety is present. when comorbid anxiety is present.

C. C. Comorbid anxiety is associated with greater Comorbid anxiety is associated with greater long-term cognitive decline.long-term cognitive decline.

D.D. All of the aboveAll of the above

Self-Assessment Question AnswersSelf-Assessment Question Answers

1. 1. DD

2. 2. EE

3. 3. DD

4. 4. DD

5. 5. CC

Eric Lenze, M.D. Associate Professor of Psychiatry Washington University School of Medicine

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