This study investigated symptoms of anxiety in two samples of clinic outpat
ients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinician and caregiver repo
rts were obtained using standardized measures to characterize a broad array
of anxiety symptoms. Anxiety symptoms were reported for a substantial prop
ortion of subjects, regardless of whether clinician or caregiver ratings we
re used. Anxious or worried appearance was most common (68% to 71%), follow
ed by fearfulness, tension, restlessness, and fidgeting (37% to 57%). Sleep
disturbance and various somatic symptoms were less common (8% to 34%). Alt
hough anxiety symptoms were prevalent, only 5% to 6% of subjects met Diagno
stic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for the diagnosis
of generalized anxiety disorder. In both samples, anxiety symptoms were ass
ociated with depression, behavioral disturbances, and increased cognitive i
mpairment. Study findings support a high occurrence of anxiety in patients
with dementia, and treatments for anxiety might therefore be helpful in red
ucing the psychiatric burden of AD.