title: Vulnerability to 35% CO2 of panic disorder patients with a history of respiratory disorders.
abstract: Patients with panic disorder often report a history of respiratory pathology. Furthermore, panic disorder patients are vulnerable to CO2 challenges. The increased CO2 vulnerability displayed by panic disorder patients may be related to lifetime respiratory pathology. We examined whether panic disorder patients with a history of respiratory disorders are more vulnerable to a 35% CO2 challenge than those without such a history. Ninety-six patients with panic disorder were interviewed about their lifetime respiratory status (asthma, bronchitis and various other respiratory conditions) and underwent the challenge. Immediately before and after the CO2 inhalation, the patients filled out the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) and the Panic Symptom List (PSL). We found no differences between the two panic disorder groups on anxiety (VAS-A), panic symptoms (PSL) or panic attacks after the CO2 challenge. Our results suggest that having a PD is an important factor in CO2 vulnerability independent of a history of respiratory disorders.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University, Departmant of Psychiatry, PO Box 616, Maastricht 6200 MD, The Netherlands. N.vanBeek@pn.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van Beek
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schruers
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verburg
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cucchi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bellodi
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Griez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide