A 4-year follow-up study of syndromal and sub-syndromal anxiety and depression symptoms in the general population: the HUNT study

摘要: Background Our aims were to examine the stability of self-rated anxiety and depression symptoms and the predictors for change in case-level status after 4 years in a general population sample. Methods Prospective cohort study. Based on the total score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression rating scale (HADS-T) in HUNT 2 (1995–1997), three groups were identified: Level 3 (n = 654, score ≥ 25 points), Level 2 (n = 654, score 19–24 points), and Level 1 (n = 1,308, score < 19 points). The groups were followed up with a mailed questionnaire after 4 years. Results Among the 1,326 (53% response rate) who participated in the follow-up, 816 (62%) had not changed symptom level. The number of participants that had crossed the HADS-T caseness level (19 points) was the same in both directions. In non-cases at …