Comorbidity with axis I anxiety disorders in remitted psychotic patients 1 year after hospitalization.
BACKGROUND
Comorbid anxiety disorders are frequently encountered in psychoses and mainly assessed during the hospitalization.


METHODS
Comorbidity was investigated in 98 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar disorder, previously hospitalized for psychotic symptoms. Assessments, including Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale, were performed during hospitalization (t0) and subsequently in a phase of remission (t1). Comorbidity was assessed at t1 only.


RESULTS
One or more comorbid anxiety diagnoses were made in 46 (46.9%) patients. Of these, 15 (32.6%) received multiple anxiety diagnoses, while 31 (67.4%) single anxiety diagnoses. Schizophrenic patients had a rate of social anxiety disorder (SAD) higher (P<.05) than the others. Patients assessed with panic disorder or with obsessive-compulsive disorder at t1 showed significantly greater severity of illness at t0; patients with SAD demonstrated greater severity at t1. No significant differences in the rates of individual anxiety disorders were found in patients treated with typical or atypical antipsychotics or with both.


CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety disorders, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and SAD, seem to be frequently comorbid in remitted psychotic patients; SAD would be more prevalent in schizophrenia and might negatively impact the course of the illness.
Ciapparelli
Antonio
A
Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Paggini
Rosemma
R
Marazziti
Donatella
D
Carmassi
Claudia
C
Bianchi
Maria
M
Taponecco
Claudia
C
Consoli
Giorgio
G
Lombardi
Valentina
V
Massimetti
Gabriele
G
Dell'osso
Liliana
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents