Clinical Features in Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia

Abstract Objective To identify which clinical features and personality traits are associated with quality of life (QoL) in panic disorder (PD) patients. Methods This was a cross-sectional study with PD patients. The brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) were used to assess QoL and personality traits respectively. The strength of correlations was measured with Pearson’s, Spearman’s, and point-biserial correlation coefficients. We also performed multiple linear regressions, considering sociodemographic data and scores from clinical scales as independent variables and QoL scores as dependent variables. Results A total of 98 patients were evaluated. Depressive symptoms had a strong negative correlation with QoL and, to a lesser extent, panic and anxiety symptoms were also negatively correlated with QoL. While consciousness, extraversion, and agreeableness had mild positive correlations with QoL, neuroticism had a strong negative correlation. Conclusion Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and panic seem to have a negative impact on the QoL of PD patients. Personality traits, especially neuroticism, may also influence QoL in these patients.

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Panic Disorder and Chronic Caffeine Use: A Case-control Study

Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health ◽

10.2174/1745017901915010120 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 120-125

Author(s):

Veruska Andrea Santos ◽

Silvia Hoirisch-Clapauch ◽

Antonio E. Nardi ◽

Rafael Christophe Freire

Keyword(s):

Panic Disorder ◽

Clinical Features ◽

Panic Attacks ◽

Caffeine Intake ◽

Acute Administration ◽

Caffeine Consumption ◽

Harmful Use ◽

Chronic Caffeine ◽

High Doses ◽

Control Study

Background: Acute administration of caffeine produces panic attacks in most Panic Disorder (PD) patients, but little is known about chronic caffeine use in these patients. Objective: To assess caffeine use in patients with PD and to ascertain if caffeine consumption is associated with sociodemographic or clinical features. Methods: 65 adults with PD and 66 healthy controls were included in the current study. Their caffeine intake within the previous week was quantified with a questionnaire and compared. Harmful caffeine use was defined as consumption above 400 mg/day of caffeine. We tested for correlations between caffeine intake, demographic and clinical features. Results: Patients consumed significantly more caffeine than controls (P < 0.001). 14% (N = 9) of the PD patients made harmful use of caffeine. The use of caffeine-containing medications was observed in 40% (N = 26) of the PD patients and 6% (N = 4) of controls. Consumption of energy drinks was observed in 11% (N = 7) of PD patients and in none of the healthy subjects. Patients reported sleeping significantly less than controls (P < 0.001). In PD patients, caffeine consumption was not correlated with the presence of panic attacks or comorbidity with depression. The use of benzodiazepines or sedative medications was not correlated with caffeine intake. Conclusion: High caffeine consumption in PD patients could be explained by the development of tolerance with regular use of this substance. Subtypes of sensitive and non-sensitive PD patients could also explain why some of these patients are able to tolerate high doses of caffeine.

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