Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2023
Prevalence of respiratory disorders in first-degree relatives of panic disorder patients
Nicole van Beek1, Koen R J Schruers, Eric J L Griez
1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Background:
Panic Disorder (PD) patients often report a history of respiratory pathology, such as asthma. It is known that both PD and respiratory disorders, like asthma, run in families. A common diathesis for PD and some respiratory disorders may be present both in PD patients and their first-degree relatives. We examined whether the lifetime prevalence of respiratory disorders is higher in first-degree relatives of PD patients than in first-degree relatives of patients with other anxiety disorders.
Methods:
The lifetime history of respiratory pathology was assessed in 379 first-degree relatives of patients with an anxiety disorder by means of a questionnaire.
Results:
We found the first-degree relatives of PD patients to report more chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) in general (24.8%) and asthma (10.5%) in particular than the comparison group (13.2% and 3.3%, respectively).
Limitations:
Our data rely on retrospective self-reports.
Conclusions:
Our findings are consistent with and extend previous studies suggesting a specific association between COPD, asthma in particular, and PD.
Related Concept Videos
Panic Disorder
Common Respiratory Disorders
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
Other Pulmonary Disorders
Asthma I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
