The Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study: online recruitment into the largest recontactable study of depression and anxiety

Background Anxiety and depression are common, debilitating and costly. These disorders are influenced by multiple risk factors, from genes to psychological vulnerabilities and environmental stressors but research is hampered by a lack of sufficiently large comprehensive studies. We are recruiting 40,000 individuals with lifetime depression or anxiety, with broad assessment of risks to facilitate future research. Methods The Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study ([www.gladstudy.org.uk][1]) recruits individuals with depression or anxiety into the NIHR Mental Health BioResource. Participants invited to join the study (via media campaigns) provide demographic, environmental and genetic data, and consent for medical record linkage and recontact. Results Online recruitment was effective; 41,892 consented and 26,877 participants completed the questionnaire by July 2019. Participants’ questionnaire data identified very high rates recurrent depression, severe anxiety and comorbidity. Participants reported high rates of treatment receipt. The age profile of sample is biased toward young adults, with higher recruitment of females and the better educated, especially at younger ages. Discussion This paper describes the study methodology and descriptive data for GLAD, which represents a large, recontactable resource that will enable future research into risks, outcomes and treatment for anxiety and depression. Highlights Highlights The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, NIHR, Department of Health or King’s College London ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement UK NIHR ### Author Declarations All relevant ethical guidelines have been followed and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. Yes Any clinical trials involved have been registered with an ICMJE-approved registry such as ClinicalTrials.gov and the trial ID is included in the manuscript. Not Applicable I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant Equator, ICMJE or other checklist(s) as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes This is a cohort description paper. * SNP : single nucleotide polymorphism GLAD : Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression NIHR : National Institute for Health Research IAPT : Improving Access to Psychological Therapies SLaM : South London and Maudsley NHS : National Health Service SURE : Service User Research Enterprise FAST-R : Feasibility and Acceptability Support Team for Researchers PR : public relations SOPs : standard operating procedures CRN : Clinical Research Networks GP : general practitioner CCG : Clinical Commissioning Group [1]: http://www.gladstudy.org.uk