K R J Schruers1, H van de Mortel1, T Overbeek1, E Griez1. 1. 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Vijverdal Academic Anxiety Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little accurate information is available about the symptomatology of real-life panic attacks and about how well they are reproduced by an experimental model such as the 35% CO2 challenge. METHOD: Real-life panic symptoms were assessed in a group of 67 panic disorder patients, using daily life monitoring. Panic symptoms elicited by a 35% CO2 challenge were assessed in 61 panic disorder patients, and their frequency was compared with the real-life symptoms. RESULTS: The most frequent real-life symptoms were palpitations, dizziness and trembling. The 35% CO2 challenge reproduced well the majority of real-life symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the 35% CO2 challenge is a marker for spontaneous panic attacks, which are considered the core of panic disorder.
BACKGROUND: Little accurate information is available about the symptomatology of real-life panic attacks and about how well they are reproduced by an experimental model such as the 35% CO2 challenge. METHOD: Real-life panic symptoms were assessed in a group of 67 panic disorderpatients, using daily life monitoring. Panic symptoms elicited by a 35% CO2 challenge were assessed in 61 panic disorderpatients, and their frequency was compared with the real-life symptoms. RESULTS: The most frequent real-life symptoms were palpitations, dizziness and trembling. The 35% CO2 challenge reproduced well the majority of real-life symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the 35% CO2 challenge is a marker for spontaneous panic attacks, which are considered the core of panic disorder.
Authors: N K Leibold; D L A van den Hove; W Viechtbauer; G F Buchanan; L Goossens; I Lange; I Knuts; K P Lesch; H W M Steinbusch; K R J Schruers Journal: Transl Psychiatry Date: 2016-09-06 Impact factor: 6.222