Anxiety sensitivity and 35% CO2 reactivity in patients with panic disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The present study examines the possible relationships between anxiety sensitivity (AS) and reactivity to the 35% carbon dioxide (CO(2)) challenge in panic disorder (PD).


METHODS
One-hundred eight patients with PD underwent the 35% CO(2) challenge and completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI). Multiple regression analyses were applied to evaluate the role of AS as a predictor of CO(2)-induced anxiety.


RESULTS
Fifty-six patients with PD showed high AS scores, whereas 48 showed medium scores and 4 low scores. ASI scores significantly predicted symptomatological reaction to CO(2) but not subjective induced anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations was related to the symptomatological reactivity to CO(2) but did not seem to play a crucial role in the modulation of the subjective anxiogenic/panicogenic response to hypercapnia in patients with PD.
Perna
Giampaolo
G
Anxiety Disorders Clinical and Research Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Istituto Scientifico HS Raffaele, 29 via Prinetti, 20127 Milan, Italy. perna.giampaolo@hsr.it
Romano
Pietra
P
Caldirola
Daniela
D
Cucchi
Michele
M
Bellodi
Laura
L
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide