LAUSR

Key Points Question Are depression and/or anxiety associated with higher risk and higher rates of accumulating chronic conditions than having neither condition? Findings In this cohort study including 40 360 individuals, the risk of accumulating chronic conditions was significantly higher in women with depression and comorbid depression and anxiety in each of 3 age cohorts (anchored at the 20th, 40th, and 60th birthdays) compared with individuals without depression or anxiety, with similar observations for men in the cohort aged 20 years. Rates of accumulation of chronic conditions were highest for women and men with combined depression and anxiety. Meaning These findings suggest that depression and anxiety may be associated with higher rates of acquiring chronic conditions and that these associations may be magnified when depression and anxiety cooccur.