Referral and screening patterns at a clinic for anxiety disorders; implications for the planning of clinical studies

During a two year period (1988-1990), 302 patients who were referred to our anxiety disorder clinic were evaluated and diagnosed according to a screening procedure which will be described. Of these initial referrals, 171 met a DSM-3-R diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without agorophobia) or generalized anxiety disorder; 81 patients (27% of the initial referrals) participated in a double blind placebo controlled clinical trial with a dropout rate of 12%. The implications for the planning and design of referral and screening strategies at research oriented specialized clinics are discussed.