Prevalence Of Panic Disorder Research Articles

Impact of the estrous cycle on brain monoamines and behavioral and respiratory responses to CO2 in mice.

The prevalence of panic disorder is two to four times higher in women compared to that in men, and hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle play a role in the occurrence of panic attacks. Here, we investigated the effect of the estrous cycle on the ventilatory and behavioral responses to CO2 in mice. Female mice in proestrus, estrus, metestrus, or diestrus were exposed to 20% CO2, and their escape behaviors, brain monoamines, and plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) were measured. Pulmonary ventilation (V̇E), oxygen consumption (V̇O2), and body core temperature (TB) were also measured during normocapnia followed by CO2. Females exposed to 20% CO2 exhibited an escape behavior, but the estrous cycle did not affect this response. Females in all phases of the estrous cycle showed higher V̇E and lower TB during hypercapnia. In diestrus, there was an attenuation of CO2-induced hyperventilation with no change in V̇O2, whereas in estrus, this response was accompanied by a reduction in V̇O2. Hypercapnia also increased the concentration of plasma P4 and central DOPAC, the main dopamine metabolite, in all females. There was an estrous cycle effect on brainstem serotonin, with females in estrus showing a higher concentration than females in the metestrus and diestrus phases. Therefore, our data suggest that hypercapnia induces panic-related behaviors and ventilatory changes that lead to an increase in P4 secretion in female mice, likely originating from the adrenals. The estrous cycle does not affect the behavioral response but interferes in the ventilatory and metabolic responses to CO2 in mice.

The prevalence and risk of anxiety and depression in polycystic ovary syndrome: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis.

To summarize the pooled prevalence rates of anxiety and depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. An overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis was conducted. The CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases were searched up to April 22, 2024. The methodological quality of systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2. The degree of overlap between reviews was analyzed by calculating the corrected covered area. Ten systematic reviews were selected. Regarding anxiety disorders, the pooled prevalence of panic disorder, social phobia, and anxiety disorders without specifying the type of disorder were 4%, 5%, and 16.9%, respectively. This prevalence was higher in depressive disorders, reaching 34.8%. Anxiety symptoms were very prevalent in women with PCOS, although the prevalence varied depending on the self-reported questionnaire used: the Hamilton Anxiety Scale 69.4%, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale 41.5%, and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale 32.4%. Additionally, the highest prevalence of depression symptoms was associated with the Beck Depression Inventory 46.0%, followed by the Self-rating Depression Scale 39.2%, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, which ranged from 31% to 33.8%. Meta-analyses found mainly anxiety and depression symptoms and disorders are prevalent in women with PCOS. Meta-analyses also showed women with PCOS had a higher risk of having anxiety disorders, and depression symptoms than women without PCOS. • Anxiety symptoms were prevalent, although the prevalence varied depending on the self-reported questionnaire. • The highest prevalence of depression symptoms was associated with the Beck Depression Inventory (46.0%). • The pooled prevalence of anxiety disorders without specifying the type of disorder was 16.9%.

Prevalence of panic disorder among patients with non-cardiac chest pain attending cardiology outpatient department in a tertiary care centre in Kerala – A cross-sectional study

Prevalence of panic disorder among patients with non-cardiac chest pain attending cardiology outpatient department in a tertiary care centre in Kerala – A cross-sectional study

Incidence of Panic Disorder Diagnoses After Celebrity Disclosures of Panic Disorder in South Korea

The persistent stigma associated with mental health conditions is a major challenge worldwide. Celebrities may improve this by openly discussing their own mental health issues, potentially influencing public attitudes and encouraging individuals to seek treatment for these conditions. To evaluate the impact of celebrity mental health disclosures on the incidence and prevalence of panic disorder diagnosis in South Korea. This cohort study included the entire South Korean population from January 2004 to December 2021, as reflected in the National Health Insurance Service data. Analysis was conducted from May 2022 through January 2024. Time periods analyzed included the timeframe before (from January 2004 to December 2010) and after the public disclosures of panic disorder by 3 high-profile Korean celebrities between December 2010 and January 2012 (from January 2011 to December 2021). Monthly incidence and prevalence of panic disorder, defined by the presence of a clinical diagnosis of the condition. Trends were assessed using interrupted time series analysis with autoregressive integrated moving average models. To assess public interest in panic disorder, trends in search data were analyzed, examining the association between the timing of increased searches and changes in the incidence and prevalence of panic disorder. Data on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were included as a control. The study covered the entire population of South Korea, including 48 559 946 individuals in January 2004 and 52 593 886 individuals in December 2021. Before 2011, the mean (SD) annual prevalence of panic disorder was stable at 560 (140) persons per 100 000 persons per year. The celebrity disclosure in December 2010 was associated with higher monthly incidence rates of panic disorder, as measured by insurance claims data, changes that were observed in both the level (5.8 persons; 95% CI, 2.2-9.5 persons) and slope (0.78 persons per month; 95% CI, 0.19-1.40 persons per month) per 100 000 persons. By 2021, the observed annual prevalence per 100 000 persons reached 7530 persons, an increase of 775.6% compared with the 860 persons (95% CI, 330-1400 persons) estimated if the disclosures had not occurred. Internet searches anticipated changes in monthly prevalence with a lag of 2 or 3 months (F = 4.26, P = .02 and F = 3.11, P = .03, respectively). The celebrity disclosures had no significant association with the incidence or prevalence of OCD. In this observational cohort study, celebrity disclosure of mental health conditions was associated with a sustained reduction in stigma, as reflected in increased help-seeking behavior for the condition over more than a decade. This underscores the influential role celebrities can play in shaping public health perceptions and behaviors, offering valuable insights for the development of future mental health policies and public awareness campaigns.

Sex-Specific Effects of Neonatal Stress on Brainstem Expression of Orexin1-Receptors

Introduction and hypothesis: Located within the hypothalamus, orexin-producing neurons (ORX) regulate arousal, feeding, and cardiorespiratory function. Panic disorders (PD) affects ~5% of the North American population. Stress-related “hyperactivation” of the ORX system is a leading hypothesis to explain the pathophysiology of PD. One important sub-group of PD patients show significant respiratory symptoms, including an excessive ventilatory response to CO2 inhalation. Manifestations of PD are sex-specific: the prevalence of PD is ~2 times higher in women compared to men and the intensity of the ventilatory response to CO2 fluctuates with the hormonal cycle. Early life stress is a risk factor for PD and we recently demonstrated that in rats, neonatal maternal separation (NMS) augments the ventilatory response to CO2 (5%; 10 min) of adult females (but not males); this effect peaks with the rise of 17-b estradiol (E2) during proestrus. Because NMS-related enhancement of the hyperventilatory response to CO2 can be prevented by a selective ORX1-antagonist, we tested the hypothesis that sex, hormonal status and NMS interact to influence the expression of ORX-1 receptors in brainstem regions that regulate breathing. Methods: Following birth, pups were either exposed to NMS (3h/day from postnatal days 3 to 12) or raised under standard conditions. Rats were then raised until adulthood (8 weeks); experiments were performed on males, females in proestrus (high E2), and ovariectomised (low E2) females (2 weeks post-surgery). We used in situ hybridization histochemistry to quantify the expression of mRNA for ORX-1 receptors. The ORX-1 receptors signal was revealed by autoradiography emulsion and slides were examined under darkfield microscopy. Expression of ORX-1 receptors was quantified by measuring the pixel density of the hybridization signal in selected brainstem regions that regulate CO2 response. Results: The locus coeruleus (LC) contained the highest expression of ORX-1 receptors amongst the structures studied. In males, NMS was associated with significant decreases in ORX-1 expression in the LC and nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). By comparison with OVX females, proestrus augmented ORX-1 expression in the LC of controls, but not NMS. By comparison with OVX, proestrus augmented ORX-1 expression in the raphe obscurus, especially in NMS females. Expression of ORX-1 was unchanged in the NTS of females. Conclusion and perspectives: We conclude that sex and the female’s hormonal status are important determinants of ORX-1 expression and that NMS can alter these relationships; however, those effects are structure-specific. In light of the evidence indicating that 5-HT dysfunction contributes to PD, the results observed in the raphe obscurus point to a plausible mechanism. This study was supported by ‘the Québec Heart and Lung Institute Research Foundation’. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Prevalence and comorbidity of anxiety disorder in school-attending children and adolescents aged 6–16 years in China

BackgroundThe reported prevalence rate of anxiety disorder in the paediatric population varies widely between different counties. Currently, there is no national epidemiological survey of childhood anxiety disorder in China. This...

Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Panic Disorder among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Panic disorder (PD) is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks that cause intense distress. Despite the high prevalence of panic disorder and its significant impact on life, limited research has been conducted on its prevalence and their associated factors in Saudi Arabia. This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of PD among adults in Saudi Arabia by examining its prevalence and associated factors, using an online survey method. A validated questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted targeting 1276 Saudi adults. Data were collected electronically via Google Forms from the eligible participants. The questionnaire comprised three sections: sociodemographic information, medical history, and a validated diagnostic tool for PD. The prevalence of PD among Saudi adults was 13.1%. Most individuals with PD experienced their first panic attack before the age of 18. Only 38.3% individuals with PD sought medical attention, and approximately one-third of those who sought help did not receive a diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant risk factors for PD included being female; having chronic health problems, a comorbid psychiatric disorder, a high body mass index; and experiencing suicidal ideation (P < 0.05). The highest risk was associated with chronic diseases (adjusted odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval: 2.1-4.6). This study demonstrates that PD is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition among Saudi Arabian adults. Non-mental health physicians should be aware of PD, as many cases remain undiagnosed.

Panic disorder: Epidemiology, disability, and treatment gap from nationally representative general population of India.

Panic disorder (PD) is one of the most common and debilitating anxiety disorder. Individuals with PD seek frequent healthcare and emergency services leading to frequent work absenteeism and economic burden. However, its prevalence patterns in the Indian context are poorly understood. Hence, this article discusses the epidemiology, disability, and treatment gap from India's National Mental Health Survey 2016. National Mental Health Survey 2016 was a nationally representative epidemiological survey of adult respondents from 12 states of India. Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0.0 is used to diagnose psychiatric disorders. Sheehan disability scale was used to assess the disability. The current weighted prevalence of PD was estimated. Association between PD and its sociodemographic correlates was done using Firth penalized logistic regression. The treatment gap and disability in PD were also calculated. The lifetime and current weighted prevalence of PD was 0.5% (95% confidence interval 0.49-0.52) and 0.3% (95% confidence interval 0.28-0.41), respectively. The male gender and unemployed have significantly lesser odds with current PD. The elderly, Urban metro, and the married/separated group have significantly higher odds with current PD. The most common comorbid psychiatric disorder is agoraphobia (42.3%) and depression (30.9%) followed by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (10%). Among respondents with current PD in the past 1 month across three domains, around 80% had a disability of any severity and 20%-25% had marked disability. The overall treatment gap of current PD is 71.7%. It is the first study reporting prevalence from a nationally representative sample from the general population of India. The survey has shed light on the epidemiology and the challenges faced by those with PD which emphasizes the urgency of bridging the treatment gap. These findings are paramount to the development of more inclusive and effective mental health policies and interventions to tackle the current burden due to PD.

Impact of preterm birth on the onset of panic disorder in later life – Results from the Gutenberg Prematurity Study (GPS)

BackgroundThe present study aimed to investigate whether prematurity and perinatal stress exert long-term effects on the onset of panic disorder in later life. MethodsFrom 40,189 adults born in Germany between 1969 and 2002, a study cohort (n = 427) stratified by gestational age (GA) (extremely preterm: GA < 29 weeks; very preterm: GA 29–32 weeks; moderately preterm: GA 33–36 weeks; and full-term GA ≥ 37 weeks) was selected (age 28.5 ± 8.7 years). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate associations between gestational age at birth and panic disorder adjusting for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and perinatal factors. ResultsThe prevalence of panic disorder was roughly equal in moderate to very preterm and full-term birth groups at 1.9%–3.8%. However, this rate significantly increased to 14.3% in the extreme preterm category (GA <2 9: 14.3 %, p = 0.002). In multivariable analyses, female gender and GA were independently associated with panic disorder. Adjusting for age, gender and socioeconomic status, panic disorder was associated with lower GA at birth (OR = 1.12 per week (CI95%: 1.01–1.26, p = 0.037). Whereas adjustment for nutrition status or indicators of perinatal stress had no effect, correction for the length of postnatal ICU-stay eliminated the association between preterm birth and later panic disorder. LimitationsLimitations include the small number of cases and the reliance on questionnaires to assess mental status. ConclusionsPrematurity likely increases the risk of panic disorder later in life, and the subsequent postnatal ICU-stay appears to be of critical importance. However, due to strong collinearity and other associated factors with preterm births, it remains unclear which is the primary determinant.

Characteristics of patients with panic disorder attended in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional multicenter study

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of panic disorder during the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. DesignCross-sectional multicenter study. SettingPrimary care. ParticipantsParticipating primary care physicians selected patients visiting their primary care centers for any reason over a 16-month period. Main outcome measureDiagnosis of panic disorder was established using The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) instrument. ResultsOf a total of 678 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 36 presented with panic disorder, with a prevalence of 5.3% (95% confidence interval 3.6–7.0). A total of 63.9% of cases occurred in women. The mean age was 46.7±17.1 years. Socioeconomic difficulties, such as very low monthly income rate, unemployment, and financial constraints to make housing payments and to make ends meet were more frequent in patients with panic disorders as compared to patients without panic disorder. A high level of stress (Holmes–Rahe scale>300), concomitant chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel disease, and having financial difficulties in the past 6 months were associated with factors of panic disorder. DiscussionThis study characterizes patients with panic disorder diagnosed with a validated instrument during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified risk factors for this disease. ConclusionsIn non-selected consecutive primary care attendees in real-world conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of panic disorder was 5.3%, being more frequent in women. There is a need to enhance primary care resources for mental health care during the duration of the pandemic and beyond.

Efficacy and safety of hangekobokuto (Banxia‐houpo‐tang) in treating panic disorder: A pilot study

AbstractAimThe prevalence of panic disorder in patients with comorbidities is higher than in the general population. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines, the common pharmacotherapy, can cause adverse effects in the patients. To research other options, we report a retrospective pilot study on hangekobokuto in treating panic disorder.MethodsWe reviewed the data of consecutive cases with panic disorder treated with hangekobokuto from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2021 at Kindai University Nara Hospital. The changes in the symptoms, assessed by the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), and adverse events were investigated.ResultsThe total number of patients was 35 (8 males and 27 females). The median and the interquartile range (IQR) of age (years old) were 50 and 42.5–70. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of PDSS score were initially 14.51/28 (±4.76). They changed to 10.91/28 (±6.11) after one month, then 9.40/28 (±6.99) after three months (p &lt; 0.05). After one month 19 patients (54.3%) and after three months 23 patients (65.7%) saw an improvement with a decrease of PDSS score equal to or more than three points from the baseline. The middle‐aged group seemed to have shown the highest response to hangekobokuto. As adverse effects, one patient reported nausea and another diarrhea.ConclusionThe efficacy and safety of hangekobokuto for panic disorder are suggested in our study, but more research will be necessary.

Prevalence and associated factors of panic disorder among medical students in Abha University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, 2020

Objective: To assess the prevalence of panic disorder and identify factors associated with their occurrence among medical students, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional including 400 participants, conducted in Abha city by distributing a validated self-constricted questionnaire among medical students, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia during 2020-2021. The questionnaire consisted of three parts (Demographic data, Panic disorders severity scale (PDSS), and Patient Health Questionnaire –Panic Disorder (PHQ-PD). Results: Out of 400 medical students, 196 (50.5%) were male and 192 (495%) were female , with mean age score 22.5±2.1. The rate of cases were as following; 114 (29.4%) had anxiety, 190 (49.0%) had 4 or more symptoms, and 104 (26.8%) had panic disorder. The mean score of PDSS was indicating the need for a formal diagnostic assessment. Those in 2nd and 6th year, and those who rent their house had significant higher score of PDSS than others (p&lt;0.0001, and p0.001) respectively. Also, younger age, and those who had low monthly income had significant higher rate of panic disorder attack than others (p&lt;0.0001and p&lt;0.0001) respectively.

Prevalence of Panic Disorder and Associated Factors among Nurses Working in Covid-19 Isolation Centres in Lagos, Nigeria

Nurses suffered panic disorder due to virulent high aerosol spreading rate of coronavirus and limited data on definitive treatment of affected COVID-19 patients. This study assessed the prevalence of panic disorder and associated factors among nurses working in COVID-19 isolation centres in Lagos, Nigeria. The study was a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design. A population of N=75 nurses was sampled using a total enumeration sampling technique. Purposive sampling method was used to select the two isolation centres where the study was conducted. A structured self-administered questionnaire with validity and reliability established was used to collect data from nurses between 7th February and 25th March, 2022. Data were collated, screened and imported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Significance levels of associated factors were established with Fisher’s Exact Test and Multivariate Logistic Regressions at significant level of p &lt; 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. The results showed the mean age of nurses was m=37.6 + 10.2 years and 20.6% developed panic disorder. The age p=0.002, and living with vulnerable persons p=0.005 were significantly associated with panic disorder p &lt; 0.05. Nurses who felt there is threat to their life working in COVID-19 isolation centre were 3.4 times more likely to develop panic disorder compared to nurses who did not (AOR=3.4, 95% CI=2.337, 7.271, p=0.001). In conclusion, twenty percent of nurses developed mild to severe panic disorder due to associated psychological and working conditions factors. Counseling and support program is recommended for affected nurses to improve quality of life.

Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

ObjectivePulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic and progressive pulmonary vascular disease resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue and leading to death from right heart failure if not adequately treated. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a subgroup of PH characterized by obstruction or occlusion of pulmonary arteries by post-embolic fibrotic material. To date, few studies examined symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with CTEPH, showing depression levels as high as 37.5%. However, none of the former studies used structured expert interviews.MethodsMental disorders were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID). The prevalence of mental disorders in patients with CTEPH were compared to the prevalence in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and the general German population. Quality of life (QoL) was measured with World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life questionnaire (short form). Factors associated with QoL were analyzed with linear regression and the diagnostic value of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsHundred and seven patients with CTEPH were included. Almost one-third of the patients (31.8%) had current psychological disorders. Panic disorder (8.4%), specific phobia (8.4%), and major depressive disorder (6.5%) were the most prevalent mental illnesses. The prevalence of panic disorders was higher in CTEPH compared to the German population while major depressive disorder was fewer in CTEPH compared to PAH. The presence of mental disorders had a major impact on QoL. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale discriminated depression and panic disorder reliably.ConclusionMental disorders are common in patients with CTEPH and associated with an impaired QoL. The HADS may be a useful screening tool for panic and depression disorders in patients with CTEPH. Further research on therapeutic strategies targeting mental disorders in patients with CTEPH is needed.

Management of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

Management of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

Exposure to mass disaster and probable panic disorder among children in New York City

While both direct and indirect exposure to mass trauma are increasing in the United States, relatively little is known about the potential link between mass trauma and risk of panic disorder early in life. It is also unclear whether history of prior individual trauma increases risk of panic disorder even further among those with exposure to mass trauma. The current study investigated the association between exposure to a mass trauma event (the World Trade Center (WTC) attack) and risk of panic disorder among children, how panic disorder varies by exposure severity and sociodemographic characteristics, and whether there is an interaction between individual and mass trauma exposure in the risk of panic disorder. Data were from an epidemiologic study of probable mental disorders among New York City schoolchildren exposed to the WTC terrorist attack. Severe (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.0 (1.1, 3.7)) exposure to the WTC disaster was associated with increased odds of probable panic disorder, relative to mild exposure. The prevalence of panic disorder increased with higher level of WTC exposure among all sociodemographic strata. Prior individual trauma exposure was associated with increased odds of panic disorder (AOR = 2.4 (1.6, 3.5)), but there was no evidence of interaction between prior individual trauma exposure and exposure to the WTC disaster. Preventive measures to address the widespread nature of mass disaster exposure at increasingly earlier ages and via media could mitigate the potential impact on mental health.

Epidemiology and prognostic implications of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in patients with coronary artery disease: rationale and design for a longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundAnxiety is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Due to their severity and chronic course, anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder (PD), are of considerable interest and clinical importance in this population. This study has two main objectives: (1) to estimate the prevalence and incidence of GAD and PD in patients with CAD over a 2-year period and (2) to prospectively assess the association between PD or GAD and adverse cardiac events, treatment adherence, CAD-related health behaviors, quality of life and psychological distress.Design/MethodThis is a longitudinal cohort study in which 3610 participants will be recruited following a CAD-related revascularization procedure. They will complete an interview and questionnaires at 5 time points over a 2-year period (baseline and follow-ups after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months). The presence of PD or GAD, adherence to recommended treatments, health behaviors, quality of life and psychological distress will be assessed at each time point. Data regarding mortality and adverse cardiac events will be collected with a combination of interviews and review of medical files.DiscussionThis study will provide essential information on the prevalence and incidence of anxiety disorders in patients with CAD and on the consequences of these comorbidities. Such data is necessary in order to develop clear clinical recommendations for the management of PD and GAD in patients with CAD. This will help improve the prognosis of patients suffering from both conditions.

The prevalence of mental health disorders among young adults who use amphetamine-type stimulants, compared to young adults who do not.

There is a lack of evidence regarding mental health disorder prevalence in people who use amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). This study compares prevalence in Australian young adults who used ATS and young adults who had never used, and examines potential predictors. Population-based sampling was used to recruit young adults who used ATS (n = 224) and young adults who had never used ATS (n = 125). Thirty-day prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mania/hypomania were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Scale. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) of mental disorders in people who used ATS and the comparison group were examined, and a prediction model was developed for people who used ATS. We found higher prevalence of PD (APR 4.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-19.07, P = 0.032) and PTSD (APR 1.68, 95% CI 1.10-2.55, P = 0.016) in people who used ATS, compared to the comparison group, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Baseline methamphetamine use was positively associated with MDD (ARR 6.45, 95% CI 1.51-27.59, P = 0.012) and GAD (ARR 2.76, 95% CI 1.52-5.02, P = 0.001). Baseline ecstasy use was negatively associated with GAD (ARR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30-0.92, P = 0.025) and PD (ARR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.48, P = 0.001). PTSD and PD appear to be more common in young adults who use ATS. However, the relationship between ATS use and mental disorders is complex, with divergent patterns of association for ecstasy and methamphetamine use. Mental health screening in people using ATS may improve treatment outcomes.

The serotonin transporter gene polymorphism (SLC6A4) and risk for psychiatric morbidity and comorbidity in the Baltimore ECA follow-up study

BackgroundThe human serotonin transporter (SERT) gene polymorphism (5HTTLPR) has been associated with multiple psychiatric disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. This study investigated the association between 5HTTLPR and psychiatric morbidity and comorbidity in a psychiatrist-examined population sample. Methods628 participants, mean age 48.3 years old, were assessed by psychiatrists using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry. Associations between 5HTTLPR and the prevalence, comorbidity, and time-to-diagnoses for 16 psychiatric conditions were evaluated, using several analytical approaches. ResultsThe SERT S allele was significantly associated with an increased lifetime prevalence of panic disorder. There was a “protective” association between SERT gene S allele carrier status and the risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in time-to-event analysis. Carriers of the S allele had a significant increased risk of two specific comorbid disorder pairs: major depressive disorder (MDD) and social phobia, and MDD and agoraphobia. Overall, there was no increased risk of receiving an initial or an additional diagnosis for a mental disorder in the SERT S allele carriers ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the S allele carrier status is associated with an increased prevalence of panic disorder in a community sample. There was an increased risk for comorbidity in a more homogeneous subgroup of cases with MDD and social phobia, as well as or agoraphobia. Our findings suggest a specific effect of the SERT promoter gene polymorphism on a subgroup of individuals identifiable by their comorbidity.

Common Phobias among Egyptian Primary Schoolchildren: An Emergency Trigger for Panic Disorder due to Corona Pandemic

BACKGROUND: In the wake of the adverse situation we are currently facing globally due to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, it is normal to feel stressed, confused, and scared but what is abnormal is to turn this to panic. Phobias are more pronounced than fears. They develop when a person has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger that may be evolved to experience panic attacks.&#x0D; AIM: Our objective was to identify the prevalence of most common phobias as well as panic disorder (PD) due to the coronavirus pandemic among Egyptian primary schoolchildren and their determinants.&#x0D; METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2015 schoolchildren from 3 to 6 grades in three governorates of Egypt. Seven types of phobias were investigated: Agoraphobia, phobias from darkness, animal, untreatable illness (mainly coronavirus), insects, height, and social phobia. The child’s self-reported PD symptoms were assessed using DSM-IV with psychiatric diagnoses.&#x0D; RESULTS: Almost two-thirds of the surveyed primary schoolchildren have phobias of the low score (&lt;9) versus one-third who had high phobias score (61.% vs. 35%, respectively) with highly significant difference (p &lt; 0.001). The most prevalent phobias were from heights (66.5%) followed by darkness (60.0%). The important predictors of phobias were: Being a male child, living in an urban area, and studying at governmental school at fifth or sixth-grade residence. The prevalence of PD due to the corona epidemic is very high, it is reported by almost half of the surveyed primary schoolchildren. Fear of losing any of their family members, especially grandparents, was reported to be the highest PD symptom (97%).&#x0D; CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Phobia from heights and darkness was the most common. The prevalence of PD due to the coronavirus epidemic is reported to be very high. Calming down children who might be experienced with a phobia that is triggering their PD is recommended.