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The Galway Study of Panic Disorder. IV. Temporal stability of diagnosis by present state examination test-retest
D O'Rourke1, T J Fahy, P Prescott
1Clinical Science Institute, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
Background:
A long-term outcome study of DSM-III-R panic disorder included the Present State Examination (PSE) at baseline and follow up five to six years later.
Method:
PSE test-retest and individual within-patient change scores on various PSE syndromes were assessed for consistency with either a categorical view of panic disorder as a stable clinical entity or panic disorder as one facet only of a "general neurotic syndrome'.
Results:
PSE profile at baseline was virtually identical with that at follow up. Few patients had changed in PSE syndrome diagnosis after five to six years.
Conclusion:
These data, although not conclusive, are supportive of the concept of DSM-III-R panic disorder as a stable clinical entity and are correspondingly difficult to reconcile with the view that panic disorder is but one facet only of a general neurotic syndrome.