title: Imipramine for vestibular dysfunction in panic disorder: a prospective case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of imipramine on the treatment of comorbid chronic dizziness and panic disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia associated with chronic dizziness underwent otoneurological screening and were treated with a 3-months course of imipramine. Anxiety levels were measured with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), dizziness levels were evaluated using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and panic severity and treatment outcome were assessed with the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the baseline 33.3% (n=3) had a bilateral peripheral deficit vestibulopathy, the mean scores for HAM-A were 27.2±10.4, for DHI were 51.7±22.7, and for CGI-S were 4.8±0.9. All patients had a significant reduction in their HAM-A (11.1±5.5, p=0.008), DHI (11.5±8.1, p=0.008) and CGI-I (1.8±0.7, p=0.011) levels after 3-months imipramine treatment (mean=72.2±23.2 mg/day).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found a decrease in anxiety levels and in the impact of dizziness in the patients' quality of life after a 3-months treatment course with imipramine.
authors.affiliation: Panic and Respiration Laboratory, Psychiatric Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. mmezza@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Marco Andre
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mezzasalma
authors.forename: Kátia de Vasconcellos
authors.initials: Kde V
authors.lastname: Mathias
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Alexandre M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Valença
authors.forename: Antonio E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Nardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004244:Dizziness / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D007099:Imipramine