Are there regional differences in anxiety comorbidity prevalence across different continents?
Anxiety often occurs alongside other medical conditions, a pattern called comorbidity. Research suggests that how common anxiety comorbidity is can vary by region. For example, a systematic review of hidradenitis suppurativa (a skin condition) found that depression and anxiety were more frequently reported in North America and Europe compared to the Middle East and Asia 5. However, most studies focus on specific diseases or populations, so broad conclusions about all anxiety comorbidities across continents are not yet possible.
What the research says
A 2025 systematic review examined regional differences in comorbidities among people with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). It found that depression was significantly more common in North America (odds ratio 3.46) and Europe (odds ratio 3.19) compared to the Middle East and Asia 5. This suggests that for at least one chronic condition, anxiety comorbidity prevalence varies by continent. Other studies in this set focus on specific populations or interventions rather than direct regional comparisons. For instance, a study of Chinese widowed elderly found distinct profiles of anxiety and depression comorbidity, but did not compare across continents 11. Similarly, research on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease reported high anxiety prevalence (12% for symptoms, 9% for disorders) but did not analyze regional differences 3. While some studies were conducted in specific regions (e.g., China 67, the U.S. 9), they do not provide direct cross-continental comparisons for general anxiety comorbidity. Therefore, the strongest evidence for regional differences comes from the HS comorbidity review 5, but more research is needed to confirm patterns across other diseases and populations.
What to ask your doctor
- Are there known regional differences in how often anxiety occurs with my specific health condition?
- Could my family background or geographic ancestry affect my risk of anxiety comorbidity?
- Should I consider any cultural factors when discussing anxiety symptoms with you?
- Are there screening tools for anxiety that are validated for people from my region or ethnic group?
- How might regional differences in healthcare access influence the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in my case?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about this topic and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.