Functional Impairment in Patients with Panic Disorder

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety and depression and sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, education level, income, and marital status among people with panic disorder (PD) are associated with functional impairment in the areas of work, social, and family. Although both PD-specific scales such as the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory-Revised (ASI-R) and early trauma have been investigated, their relationship with functional impairment in PD patients has not been clarified. METHODS: This study included 267 PD patients. The PDSS, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), ASI-R, and Early Trauma Inventory were used. Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) was administered to assess the functional impairment level in PD patients. RESULTS: Our findings showed that high levels of PDSS, BDI, and ASI-R were significantly correlated with the functional impairment among PD patients. Multiple regression analyses showed that PDSS, BDI, and ASI-R can predict the functional impairment levels, and PDSS and ASI-R were significantly associated with lost and underproductive days in PD patients. CONCLUSION: Panic-specific symptoms, depression, and AS are associated with functional impairment level in PD patients. Elevated symptom severity can play a role by affecting productivity and daily responsibilities in PD patients.