Anxiety in the Lundby Study: re-evaluation according to DSM-III-R, incidence and risk.

This study presents the incidence and risk of Anxiety Disorders according to DSM-III-R in the 1947 Lundby cohort. The figures are based on a re-evaluation of 124 first-ever episodes of 'Anxiety' according to the Lundby definition. Panic Disorders without/with Agoraphobia constituted the largest groups, while a proportionally low rate of Generalized Anxiety Disorder was obtained. The incidence rates per 100 person years in Panic Disorders without Agoraphobia were 0.07 for men and 0.20 for women, the female dominance being statistically significant. Corresponding figures in Panic Disorders with Agoraphobia were 0.04 and 0.07. About 20% fell into other diagnostic categories, the most dominating being Mood and Adjustment Disorders and Hypochondriasis. Comparisons with incidence rates from the ECA and Stirling County studies are made and outlines for further research presented.