title: [The use of spitomine (buspirone) in the combined therapy of panic disorder].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the efficacy of spitomine (buspirone) in the combined therapy of panic disorder, we studied the dynamics of clinical parameters and personality traits associated with development and maintenance of panic disorder during the treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients of a treatment setting for out-patients with panic disorder were enrolled in the study. Patients received combined treatment with spitomine (buspirone) in the dose of 30 mg/daily (10 mg three times a day) during 6 weeks and individual short-term direct cognitive-behavioral therapy. Anxiety and panic symptoms were measured with HARS, CGI, MADRS and STAI-A.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction in panic and anxiety symptoms (by 50% on the HARS) that reached on average 9.73 scores to the end of the study. This finding indicates the absence of anxiety and, therefore, therapeutic efficacy of the treatment. Scores on state anxiety of STAI-A were significantly lower compared to baseline though the level of anxiety remained relatively high. The partial decrease in trait anxiety, though its level was high as well, was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined therapy of panic disorder with spitomine (buspirone) and cognitive-behavioral therapy is an optimal treatment, though not without the limitations of short-term methods. Good tolerability of the drug allowed all patients to complete the study.
authors.affiliation: Bekhterev St. Petersburg Research Psychoneurological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Vasileva
authors.affiliation: Bekhterev St. Petersburg Research Psychoneurological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Karavaeva
authors.affiliation: Bekhterev St. Petersburg Research Psychoneurological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Poltorak
authors.affiliation: Bekhterev St. Petersburg Research Psychoneurological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Chekhlaty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D002065:Buspirone