Among 104 patients with atypical or nonanginal chest pain, 59 (56.7%) met diagnostic criteria for panic disorder.
Cross-Sectional (n=104)
No
What is the prevalence of panic disorder in patients presenting to a cardiology clinic with atypical or nonanginal chest pain?
A high proportion of patients presenting with atypical or nonanginal chest pain meet criteria for panic disorder, suggesting this diagnosis should be routinely considered.
Of 195 patients with atypical or nonanginal chest pain presenting in a cardiology clinic, 104 consented to be evaluated for anxiety disorders using a structured psychiatric interview. Thirty patients had histories of coronary artery disease (CAD). Fifty-nine patients in the sample (16 of those with CAD and 43 of those without CAD) fit diagnostic criteria for panic disorder (PD). Those without CAD and with PD were primarily women (mean age, 43 years) with predominantly nonanginal chest pain. Those patients with both CAD and PD were primarily men (mean age, 54 years) with predominantly atypical angina. Since PD has been shown to be readily responsive to pharmacologic intervention, this diagnosis should be considered in patients with atypical or nonanginal chest pain.
Bernard D. Beitman (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Atypical or nonanginal chest pain (n=104). Structured psychiatric interview was evaluated on Diagnosis of panic disorder. Among 104 patients with atypical or nonanginal chest pain, 59 (56.7%) met diagnostic criteria for panic disorder.