Photosensitivity in panic disorder.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study is to evaluate abnormal light-related behavior in patients with panic disorder (PD).


METHODS
We administered the Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaire to 30 subjects with PD and to 40 healthy subjects. The Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaire is a self-report questionnaire that evaluates two dimensions of photosensitivity: photophilia and photophobia.


RESULTS
Compared to healthy controls, PD subjects reported significantly higher scores on the photophobia (P<.003) and significantly lower scores on the photophilia (P<.001) questions.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with PD indicated that they tolerate and seek light to a significantly lower degree than normal controls.
Bossini
Letizia
L
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 1, Siena, Italy. bossini2@unisi.it
Fagiolini
Andrea
A
Valdagno
Marta
M
Padula
Lorenzo
L
Hofkens
Tara
T
Castrogiovanni
Paolo
P
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D020795:Photophobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires