title: A discussion of various aspects of panic disorder depending on presence or absence of agoraphobia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The quality of life of individuals with panic disorder and agoraphobia can be improved by the alleviation of agoraphobia. In other words, examining panic disorder in terms of whether agoraphobia is present is crucial. The current study examined panic disorder from this perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were 253 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder (lifetime) according to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Of those patients, 179 had agoraphobia and 74 did not. Statistical analysis was used to examine gender differences in the presence (or absence) of agoraphobia, comorbidities, and the effects of the presence of agoraphobia (severity, assessment of depression, assessment of anxiety, and personality) in these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated gender differences in the presence (or absence) of agoraphobia. Compared to patients without agoraphobia, significantly more patients with agoraphobia were female (p<.001), and had a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Patients with agoraphobia had a higher suicide risk (p<.05), more hypomanic episodes (current) (p<.05), and more frequent episodes of social phobia (p<.05). In addition, patients with agoraphobia had more severe panic disorder and a higher level of neuroticism, sensitivity to anxiety, and trait anxiety [PDSS-J, P&A, NEO-N: p<.01, ASI, STAI (Trait Anxiety): p<.05].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current findings suggest that when treating a panic disorder, diagnosing the presence of agoraphobia is extremely important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan. Electronic address: ke-inoue@med.shimane-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: Warakukai Incorporated Medical Institution Nagoya Mental Clinic, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisanobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaiya
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: Michinoo Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan; Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okazaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation