Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression among chronically ill older adults in Zunyi, China: a cross-sectional study

The prevalence of anxiety among elderly individuals with chronic diseases in Zunyi City, China, is higher than the global average, whereas the prevalence of depression is lower than the global level. Patients with cardiovascular diseases exhibit a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and the co-occurrence of both anxiety and depression. Factors such as economic income, education level, lifestyle habits, and medical history influence the occurrence of anxiety and depression in elderly individuals with chronic diseases. This highlights the need to promote screening for anxiety and depression among the elderly with chronic conditions and to enhance community awareness of mental health issues in the elderly population.