[Comorbidity of panic disorder and social phobia]

Among 83 patients presenting panic disorder 24% have comorbid social phobia. Its age of onset was earlier than the one for panic disorder, in 95% of social phobics appeared first. Patient comorbid with social phobia and panic disorder: a) have an earlier panic disorder age of onset (p < 0.05); b) have more major depressive disorders (p < 0.01); c) more obsessive compulsive disorders (p < 0.05); d) higher scores in all SCL-90 subscales, except for phobias; e) more severity in the social phobia scale from the Fear Questionnaire of Marks & Mathews. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.