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Semiology and subtyping of panic disorders
J Seguí1, L Salvador-Carulla, L García
1Section of Psychiatry, La Alianza General Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|May 7, 1998
Summary
This study analyzed panic disorder (PD) symptoms in 274 patients, finding common symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath. Factor analysis revealed distinct symptom clusters, supporting PD subtyping.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychopathology
Background:
- Quantitative psychopathology of panic disorder (PD) is less studied than other conditions.
- Understanding PD symptom frequency and grouping is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Previous studies show variability in PD symptom presentation and analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency and factorial grouping of symptoms in a naturalistic sample of PD patients.
- To investigate symptom clusters in panic disorder using principal-component analysis.
- To contribute to the understanding of PD's quantitative psychopathology.
Main Methods:
- A naturalistic sample of 274 consecutive PD out-patients in Barcelona, Spain.
- Assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-UP-R) and a panic attack symptom inventory.
- Principal-component analysis to identify symptom factors.
Main Results:
- 8.5% of patients presenting at the clinic had PD.
- Most frequent and intense symptoms included palpitations, shortness of breath, fear of dying, and dizziness.
- Four factors emerged from principal-component analysis, explaining 57% of variance, including 'cardiorespiratory' (26.1%) and 'vestibular' (15.1%) factors.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the symptom subtyping of panic disorder.
- Observed discrepancies in symptom frequency and grouping may stem from transcultural factors, terminology, and assessment range.
- The study highlights the utility of factor analysis in understanding PD symptom heterogeneity.