Agoraphobic cognitions in old and young patients with panic disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the agoraphobic cognitions of younger and older patients suffering from panic disorder with agoraphobia by means of existing questionnaires.


METHODS
Agoraphobic cognitions were assessed using the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ) in 205 patients confirmed with confirmed panic disorder with agoraphobia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, Text Revision) and analyzed at the item level applying a Bonferroni correction.


RESULTS
The 48 patients who were older than 60 years had a significantly lower mean (SD) ACQ total score than their younger counterparts (1.6 [0.5] versus 2.1 [0.6]; t = 5.7, df = 203, p < 0.001), with their scores on the items fear of going crazy, acting foolishly, losing control, passing out, and brain tumors (p < 0.004) being significantly lower.


CONCLUSIONS
The differential effect at the ACQ item level suggests that some cognitions seem less relevant for agoraphobic panic disorder in later life. Future research should explore whether and which agerelated cognitions are missed in the current questionnaires.
Hendriks
Gert-Jan
GJ
Institute for Integrated Mental Health "Pro Persona," Center of Anxiety Disorders "Overwaal", Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands. ghendriks@overwaal.nl
Keijsers
Ger P J
GP
Kampman
Mirjam
M
Voshaar
Richard C Oude
RC
Hoogduin
Cees A L
CA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires