Disturbo di panico e condizioni mediche generali

Objective. While there is accumulating literature on the association between panic disorder (PD) and high utilization of health care services, few papers have focused on the medical comorbidity associated with PD. The aim of the present study is to compare the clinical characteristics in PD patients with and without medical comorbidity. Methods. 108 out-patients with a principal diagnosis of PD (DSM-IV; SCID) were included in the present study: of them, 27 with and 81 without medical comorbidity. All patients were assessed using a semistructured clinical interview for: 1) socio-demographic data; 2) Axis I and Axis II diagnosis (SCID-I and II); 3) clinical features of PD. For statistical comparison the sample was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of associated medical diseases. Results. We found that most common pathologies were cardiovascular followed by gastroenteric and respiratory. No differences were observed in sociodemographic features. Clinically Sheehan Clinician Rated Anxiety Scale (SCRAS) scores were significantly higher for DP patients with medical illnesses in comorbidity. Concerning symptomatolgy of attack "dyspnea, asphyxia sensation" and "sudden blush or chill" were significantly more frequent in PD patients with medical comorbidity. Discussion. Our study confirms that DP is frequently complicated by comorbidity with medical diseases, principally cardiovascular and gastroenteric pathologies. PD with medical diseases associated is a more serious form with specific symptomatological characteristics.