[Depressive disorders in panic attack patients and their correction with escitalopram]

The present study aimed at investigating depression specificity and escitalopram medication efficacy in 33 patients with panic attacks (PA). Depression according to BDI was found in 96,4% patients with PA. Most important clinical peculiarities of depression in PA patients were asthenia, somatic preoccupation and anxiety in combinations with mild or severe depressed mood and mild lack of satisfaction. Development and severity of depression were significantly associated with duration and frequency of PA. Escitalopram was prescribed in a dosage of 10 mg/day for 2-months. The drug was shown to have high efficacy in the treatment of depression, high preventive activity for PA as well as good tolerability with rare and mild side effects. The conclusion was made that morbidity of depression and PA and depression specificity in patients with PA may be explained by the common pathophysiological mechanisms. Serotonin dysfunction may be the most important mechanism.