Quality of Life in Panic Disorder: Follow Up Study for 3 Months

Abstract

Purpose: Panic Disorder is a common psychiatric condition which is higher risk for substance abuse, suicide attempts and functional disability. It is 2-3 times more common in women and estimated to range from 1,4% to 3,8% of the general population. Studies reported that quality of life in Panic Disorder is negatively affected and overall health (emotional and psyhical health), social activities, risk of unemployment increases. The aim of this study was investigate the affects of quality of life on panic disorder and depression and follow the treatment response after the 3 months.

Material and Methods: 22 women and 9 men (total 31) within in age range of 20-73(mean age 40,3 +/- 12,9) diagnosed as Panic Disorder; 27 women and 15 men (total 42) within in age range of 18-57(mean age 33,6 +/- 11,5) diagnosed as Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia; 54 women and 19 men (total 73) within in age 20-69(mean age 38,5 +/- 11,7) diagnosed on Major Depression were included to study. Psychiatric interview were carried out using Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnose(SCID-I), Sociodemographic Data Form, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale(HAM-D), Panic and Agoraphobia Scale and Endicott's Work Productivity Scale (EWPS) were applied in 0., 1., 3. months.

Results: Quality of life had negatively affected in all of the groups. In this study we found significant impairment in pain, general health, energy, social function, emotional role disability and mental health subgroups of quality of life scale (SF-36) in Depression group than Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia had affected the quality of life worse than comparison with Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia.

Conclusion: At the end of the treatment, there were no differences in quality of life between all of the groups statistically.