Panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseSintomi dello spettro panico-agorafobico in soggetti affetti da broncopneumopatia cronico-ostruttiva

Objective The prevalence of full-blown Panic Disorder is higher in subjects with pulmonary diseases than in community samples. The study evaluated the presence of subthreshold symptomatology of the Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum in subjects affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods The sample was formed by 50 subjects (30 males and 20 females, mean age = 68.46 � 7.74) affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The control group consisted in 50 healthy subjects (30 males and 20 females) matched for sex, age and educational level. The Structured Clinical Interview for Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum (SCI-PAS) was administered to both groups. Results The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for two independent samples showed significant differences between the two groups in the SCI-PAS domains: Panic symptoms (p < 0.0001), Anxious expectation (p < 0.0001), Agoraphobia (p < 0.0001) and Reassurance Orientation (p < 0.0001). Conclusions The presence of a subthreshold symptomatology of the Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum should be adequately evaluated for the possibile repercussions on the course of pulmonary disease; moreover, this symptomatology should require a specific psychopharmacological treatment.