Comparative analysis of emotional factors in patients with somatic symptom disorder and panic disorder

This study investigated the emotional symptom profiles and treatment responses in patients exhibiting overlapping physical symptoms to compare differences between Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) and Panic Disorder (PD).

Pharmacotherapy outcomes were analysed in 208 outpatients with SSD (n = 94) and PD (n = 114). Stepwise multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of treatment response, considering variables such as the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Network analysis explored emotional patterns by estimating network structures for each group.

The overall response rate to pharmacotherapy was 23.6% (49/208), with no significant difference between groups. Baseline CGI-S and BDI-II scores were significant predictors of treatment response in both groups, while social phobia score was a significant predictor in PD. Depression and anxiety were related to physical symptoms in both groups, but anger was significantly associated only in SSD. Network analysis revealed that depression was central to other symptoms in SSD, while anxiety was the core symptom in PD, indicating different emotional drivers between the disorders.

This study suggests the differences in emotional symptom profiles between SSD and PD. Findings suggest different mechanisms, considering the role of anger in SSD, highlighting the need for more personalised treatments for each disorder.