Generalised anxiety disorder and excess cancer deaths: findings from a large, longitudinal population study

BackgroundGeneralised anxiety disorder is a common and persistent disorder, and is associated with increased risk for disability and suicide. Previous studies have examined whether anxiety contributes to excess mortality from principal causes of death, with mixed findings. Possible mechanisms linking anxiety, pathogenesis, and premature mortality include dysregulation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, impaired immunity, and poor …