Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and their co‐occurrence among people living with schizophrenia in China: Prevalence and correlates

Background The current study examines the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, their occurrence, and key socio‐demographic and clinical correlates among people living with schizophrenia. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 390 schizophrenia individuals. Depressive and anxiety symptoms, patient symptoms, functioning, and disability were assessed using standard assessment tools. Results People living with schizophrenia had a prevalence of 40.51% for depressive symptoms, 29.74% for anxiety symptoms, and 26.41% for their co‐occurrence. More symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04–1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.10) and higher disability (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.09) were associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and their co‐occurrence. In addition, having middle school or high school education (OR: 2.48–2.61, 95% CI: 1.15–5.53), and being unemployed (OR: 4.98–9.08, 95% CI: 1.09–69.87) were associated with increased risk for anxiety symptoms and its co‐occurrence with depressive symptoms. Conclusions Depressive and anxiety symptoms are relatively common. Interventions should carefully assess these symptoms to distinguish them from schizophrenia to target them in the treatment.