Definium Therapeutics announces publication of study on general anxiety disorder

Definium Therapeutics (DFTX) announced results from a retrospective, longitudinal study published in the Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders examining the real-world prevalence, incidence, and burden of GAD in the United States healthcare system from 2020 to 2023. These findings show a steadily increasing diagnosed prevalence of GAD and highlight a substantial and growing burden affecting more than 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. Together, these results underscore the need for improved access to care, including identification, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients living with GAD. This study, based on a large U.S. healthcare claims database, found that the diagnosed prevalence of GAD increased from 5.4% in 2020 to 6.6% in 2023, while the three-year cumulative prevalence reached 10.3%. Annual incidence rates remained consistently high, ranging from 2.1% to 2.3%, indicating a steady influx of newly diagnosed patients. Results also show that GAD disproportionately affects women and is highly associated with major depressive disorder. These findings meet or exceed previously reported prevalence estimates, which range from approximately 5% to 8%. GAD remains one of the most common psychiatric disorders, characterized by excessive and persistent worry that can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life. There has been little innovation in the treatment of GAD in the past several decades, with the last new drug approval occurring in 2007. Even with available treatment options, many patients do not achieve adequate or sustained symptom relief, and many experience adverse effects such as weight gain and sexual dysfunction, contributing to ongoing clinical and societal burden. Despite its significant clinical and societal impact, the prevalence of GAD in the U.S. has been difficult to quantify accurately. Many existing estimates are outdated, rely on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, or are derived from survey methodologies with inherent limitations. As a result, there is a clear need for updated real-world data, particularly among individuals actively engaged with the healthcare system. This analysis provides a current and comprehensive view of the prevalence of GAD, its persistence over time, and its relationship to comorbid conditions. The authors also note that real-world prevalence estimates derived from healthcare claims may more accurately reflect diagnosed and treated populations than historical survey-based estimates and suggest that the true burden of GAD may be even higher due to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis.