Functional Impairment in Patients with Panic Disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Functional impairment is common in panic disorder (PD), affecting work, social, and family life.
• Sociodemographic factors like age, gender, education, income, and marital status are linked to impairment in PD.
• The relationship between PD severity, anxiety sensitivity, early trauma, and functional impairment requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between panic disorder severity, depression, anxiety sensitivity, and functional impairment in PD patients.
• To determine if PD-specific scales and early trauma predict functional impairment.
• To clarify the role of symptom severity in functional limitations.

Main Methods:

• 267 patients with panic disorder participated.
• Assessed using Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory-Revised (ASI-R), and Early Trauma Inventory.
• Analyzed correlations and used multiple linear regression; functional impairment measured by Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS).

Main Results:

• High PDSS, BDI, and ASI-R scores significantly correlated with functional impairment.
• PDSS, BDI, and ASI-R predicted functional impairment levels.
• PDSS and ASI-R were significantly associated with lost and underproductive workdays.

Conclusions:

• Panic-specific symptoms, depression, and anxiety sensitivity are linked to functional impairment in PD patients.
• Increased symptom severity negatively impacts patient productivity and daily responsibilities.
• Findings underscore the importance of managing symptom severity to improve functional outcomes.