This study investigates the prevalence of anxiety disorder (AD) in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Study participants were identified based on at least one service claim for ambulatory or inpatient care with a principal diagnosis of AD and at least 2 service claims for ambulatory care or one service claim for inpatient care with a principal diagnosis of T2D, as listed in the National Health Insurance database of Taiwan. The prevalence of AD decreased from 13.75 to 11.00 % in patients with T2D, whereas it increased from 4.17 to 6.09 % in the general population during the 2000-2010 period. A high prevalence of AD in patients with T2D was associated with age >30 years, the female sex, living in the northern region, comorbidities of congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and depression disorder, and a Charlson participant comorbidity index of ≥1. A low prevalence of AD in patients with T2D was associated with residency in urban areas, the comorbidity of hemiplegia or paraplegia, the usage of metformin and sulfonylureas, and rapid-acting insulin injection therapy. The prevalence of AD was higher in patients with T2D than in the general population. Therefore, more public health emphasis is required for preventing and treating AD in patients with T2D, specifically those with the mentioned risk factors.
Keywords: Anxiety disorder; National health insurance; Prevalence; Type 2 diabetes.