Longitudinal outcome with pharmacotherapy in a naturalistic study of panic disorder

Long-term benefits of mindfulness on white matter tracts underlying the cortical midline structures in panic disorder: A 2-year longitudinal study

AIMS

We aimed to examine the long-term benefits of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on white matter plasticity in the cortical midline structures (CMS) for a period of 2 years in patients with panic disorder and the relationships between white matter changes in the CMS and severity of state and trait symptoms.

METHODS

Seventy-one participants were enrolled and underwent diffusion tensor imaging at baseline and after 2 years (26 who received MBCT as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy [MBCT+PT], 20 treated with pharmacotherapy alone [PT-alone], and 25 healthy controls [HCs]). The severity of symptoms and fractional anisotropy (FA) in white matter regions underlying the CMS were assessed at baseline and 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The MBCT+PT group showed better outcomes after 2 years than the PT-alone group. The groups showed different FA changes: the MBCT+PT group showed decreased FA in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC); the PT-alone group showed increased FA in the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and precuneus. Decreased white matter FA in the ACC, PCC, and precuneus was associated with improvements in the severity of state and trait symptoms in patients with panic disorder.

CONCLUSION

Alleviation of excessive white matter connectivity in the CMS after MBCT leads to improvements in clinical symptoms and trait vulnerability in patients with panic disorder. Our study provides new evidence for the long-term benefits of MBCT on white matter plasticity and its clinical applicability as a robust treatment for panic disorder.

[Agoraphobia with panic disorder combined with depression]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the course of agoraphobia with panic disorder combined with the major depressive disorder to establish positive and negative prevalence predictors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The sample consisted of 49 women. The average age was 41.5±9.9 years. All patients (n=49; 100%) had symptoms of agoraphobia with panic disorder (F40.01) (n=49; 100%) and recurrent depressive disorder with mild (F33.01) (n=33; 67.3%) or moderate (F33.11) (n=16; 32.7%) severity. The duration of the disease by the time of inclusion in the study was from 2 to 5 years. Clinical-psychopathological, clinical-follow-up, clinical-dynamic, and statistical methods were used.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Two types of agoraphobia prevalence with panic disorder were identified. Type I is a relatively favorable one with complete remissions of phobic anxiety and affective disorders (n=29; 59.2%). Type II is an unfavorable one with constant phobic anxiety symptoms (n=20; 40.8%). The predictive factors of the unfavorable type of agoraphobia with panic disorder (APD) combined with depression were psychogenic situations, astheno-vegetative disorders at the onset of APD, gastrointestinal symptoms, senestopathy, fear of going crazy, or loss of control in the structure of a panic attack (PA), morning PA, vertebral artery syndrome, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, panic attacks with provocation, depression with hysteroform symptoms in pre-manifest period APD, the age at the time of the debut APD, professional status, occupational psychogenic, family microclimate, health problems, endocrine system diseases, severe agoraphobia.

Relapse prevention in panic disorder with pharmacotherapy: where are we now?

Introduction: A substantial number of patients with PD experience relapse after the discontinuation of effective pharmacotherapy, leading to detrimental effects on the individuals and considerable societal costs. This suggests the need to optimize pharmacotherapy to minimize relapse risk. Area covered: The present systematic review examines randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled relapse prevention studies published over the last 20 years involving recommended medications. The authors aim to provide an overview of this topic and evaluate whether recent advances were achieved. Only seven studies were included, providing limited results. One-year maintenance pharmacotherapy with constant doses had protective effects against relapse in patients who had previously exhibited satisfactory responses to the same medication at the same doses. The duration of maintenance treatment did not influence relapse risk. No data were available concerning the use of lower doses or the predictors of relapse. Expert opinion: Relapse prevention in PD has received limited attention. Recent progress and conclusive indications are lacking. Rethinking pharmacological research in PD may be productive. Collecting a wide range of clinical and individual features/biomarkers in large-scale, multicenter long-term naturalistic studies, and implementing recent technological innovations (e.g., electronic medical records/'big data' platforms, wearable devices, and machine learning techniques) may help identify reliable predictive models.

Trauma and defense style as response predictors of pharmacological treatment in panic patients

Background

As panic disorder (PD) has a chronic course, it is important to identify predictors that might be related to non-remission. The aim of this study is to verify whether history of trauma and defense style are predictors to pharmacological treatment response in PD patients.

Method

The sample was composed by 47 PD patients according to DSM-IV who were treated with sertraline for 16 weeks. Evaluations were assessed by the C.G.I. (Clinical Global Impression), the Hamilton-Anxiety Scale, the Hamilton-Depression Scale, the Panic Inventory and the DSQ-40 (Defense Style Questionnaire) at baseline and after treatment.

Results

Full remission was observed in 61.7% of the sample. The predictors significantly associated with non-remission were: severity of PD (p = 0.012), age of onset (p = 0.02) and immature defenses (p = 0.032). In addition, the history of trauma was associated with early onset of PD (p = 0.043).

Conclusion

Panic patients had as predictors of worse response to pharmacological treatment the early onset and the severity of PD symptoms as well as the use of immature defenses at baseline. This finding corroborates the relevance of the evaluation of factors that might affect the response so as to enable the development of appropriate treatment for each patient.

SECOND-STAGE TREATMENTS FOR RELATIVE NONRESPONDERS TO COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) FOR PANIC DISORDER WITH OR WITHOUT AGORAPHOBIA-CONTINUED CBT VERSUS SSRI: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

BACKGROUND

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy are efficacious for the short-term treatment of panic disorder. Less is known about the efficacy of these therapies for individuals who do not respond fully to short-term CBT.

METHOD

The current trial is a second-step stratified randomized design comparing two treatment conditions-selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI; paroxetine or citalopram; n = 34) and continued CBT (n = 24)-in a sample of individuals classified as treatment nonresponders to an initial course of CBT for panic disorder. Participants were randomized to 3 months of treatment and then followed for an additional 9 months. Only treatment responders after 3 months were maintained on the treatment until 12-month follow-up. Data analysis focused on panic disorder symptoms and achievement of response status across the first 3 months of treatment. Final follow-up data are presented descriptively.

RESULTS

Participants in the SSRI condition showed significantly lower panic disorder symptoms as compared to continued CBT at 3 months. Results were similar when excluding individuals with comorbid major depression or analyzing the entire intent-to-treat sample. Group differences disappeared during 9-month naturalistic follow-up, although there was significant attrition and use of nonstudy therapies in both arms.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest greater improvement in panic disorder symptoms when switching to SSRI after failure to fully respond to an initial course of CBT. Future studies should further investigate relapse following treatment discontinuation for nonresponders who became responders. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000368; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00000368.

Anxiety disorders in primary care

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric condition presenting to primary care practitioners. Yet they can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed. Patients that struggle with anxiety disorders are more likely to seek treatment from primary care providers than mental health specialists. Given the costs in terms of debilitation and associated financial burden, and increased risk of suicide, the identification and successful treatment of anxiety is imperative. By means of clinical acumen and the use of screening tools, the provider can develop expertise in recognition and effective treatment of anxiety disorders.

Cost-effectiveness of CBT, SSRI, and CBT+SSRI in the treatment for panic disorder

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of three empirically supported treatments for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), pharmacotherapy using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), or the combination of both (CBT+SSRI).

METHOD

Cost-effectiveness was examined based on the data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was selected as a primary health outcome measure. Data on costs from a societal perspective (i.e., direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect non-medical costs) were collected in the study sample (N=150) throughout a 24-month period in which patients received active treatment during the first twelve months and were seen twice for follow-up in the next twelve months.

RESULTS

Total costs were largely influenced by costs of the interventions and productivity losses. The mean total societal costs were lower for CBT as compared to SSRI and CBT+SSRI. Costs of medication use were substantial for both SSRI and CBT+SSRI. When examining the balance between costs and health outcomes, both CBT and CBT+SSRI led to more positive outcomes than SSRI.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive behavioral therapy is associated with the lowest societal costs. Cognitive behavioral therapy and CBT+SSRI are more cost-effective treatments for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia as compared to SSRI only.

Paroxetine in panic disorder: clinical management and long-term follow-up

Panic disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders and has a lifetime prevalence of 3-5%. Panic attacks can begin at any age, but commonly have their onset in early adulthood between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Naturalistic data has shown that panic disorder has a chronic and relapsing course. Panic disorder is reported to be associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses such as depression and substance abuse. Currently, recommended treatment modalities for panic disorder include the use of antidepressant pharmacotherapy and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. Paroxetine is unique among the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors since, in addition to its effect on the CNS serotonergic neurotransmission, it also has mild noradrenergic properties demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression. Paroxetine treatment has the potential to cause weight gain and sexual dysfunction, primarily anorgasmia and ejaculatory dysfunction for the long term. In the short-term, treatment causes nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, irritability, headaches and eating and sleeping difficulties. Paroxetine is an example of an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor agent, which has been well studied in the treatment of panic disorder and is efficacious and well-tolerated. Paroxetine pharmacotherapy has been recommended to be continued for 1 year as specified in the treatment guidelines set by the American Psychiatric Association in the treatment of panic disorder.

Changes in cerebral blood flow after cognitive behavior therapy in patients with panic disorder: a SPECT study

AIM

Inconsistent results continue to be reported in studies that examine the neural correlates of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with panic disorder. We examined the changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) associated with the alleviation of anxiety by CBT in panic patients.

METHODS

The change in rCBF and clinical symptoms before and after CBT were assessed using single photon emission computed tomography and various clinical measures were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fourteen subjects who completed CBT showed significant improvements in symptoms on clinical measures, including the Panic and Agoraphobic Scale and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised. After CBT, increased rCBF was detected in the left postcentral gyrus (BA 43), left precentral gyrus (BA 4), and left inferior frontal gyrus (BA 9 and BA 47), whereas decreased rCBF was detected in the left pons. Correlation analysis of the association between the changes in rCBF and changes in each clinical measure did not show significant results.

CONCLUSION

We found changes in the rCBF associated with the successful completion of CBT. The present findings may help clarify the effects of CBT on changes in brain activity in panic disorder.

Phosphate levels as a possible state marker in panic disorder: preliminary study of a feasible laboratory measure for routine clinical practice

OBJECTIVE

Low serum phosphate level is considered one of the metabolic adaptations to the respiratory alkalosis induced by hyperventilation associated with panic disorder. The aim of this study was to assess phosphatemia as a possible state marker for panic disorder.

METHODS

Sixteen panic disorder patients underwent clinical assessment with a semi-structured interview, a set of rating scales and the self-rated State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), as well as extraction of venous blood samples at baseline and after 12 weeks of pharmacological treatment. Ten healthy volunteers of similar sex, age and educational level filled out the STAI and gave blood samples at baseline and 12 weeks later.

RESULTS

The median (25th-75th percentiles) of phosphate levels (mg/dl) was 2.68 (2.22-3.18) among patients and 4.13 (3.74-4.70) among healthy volunteers respectively (P < 0.001). Seven (44%) patients and no healthy volunteers presented low serum phosphate (<2.50 mg/dl) at baseline; this patient abnormality was corrected in all cases after successful treatment. At baseline, the age-adjusted correlation between phosphate levels and state-anxiety was -0.66 (P < 0.001) among all 26 participants and -0.51 (P = 0.05) among the 16 panic disorder patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of phosphate levels could be easily introduced into clinical practice as a possible marker for chronic hyperventilation in panic disorder, although further investigations with larger sample sizes are necessary to characterize panic disorder patients with low versus normal phosphate levels.

[Psychosomatic aspects of cardiac arrhythmias]

Emotional stress facilitates the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias including sudden cardiac death. The prevalence of anxiety and depression is increased in cardiac patients as compared to the normal population. The risk of cardiovascular mortality is enhanced in patients suffering from depression. Comorbid anxiety disorders worsen the course of cardiac arrhythmias. Disturbance of neurocardiac regulation with predominance of the sympathetic tone is hypothesized to be causative for this. The emotional reaction to cardiac arrhythmias is differing to a large extent between individuals. Emotional stress may result from coping with treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Emotional stress and cardiac arrhythmias may influence each other in the sense of a vicious circle. Somatoform cardiac arrhythmias are predominantly of psychogenic origin. Instrumental measures and frequent contacts between physicians and patients may facilitate disease chronification. The present review is dealing with the multifaceted relationships between cardiac arrhythmias and emotional stress. The underlying mechanisms and corresponding treatment modalities are discussed.

Combined psychotherapy plus benzodiazepines for panic disorder

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of combining psychotherapy and benzodiazepines for panic disorder is unclear, despite widespread use.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the efficacy of the combination compared with either treatment alone.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Randomised trials comparing the combination of psychotherapy and benzodiazepine with either therapy alone for panic disorder were identified. The Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Group Studies and References Registers were searched. References of relevant trials and other reviews were checked. Experts in the field were contacted. Additional unpublished data were sought from authors of the original trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Two authors independently checked the records retrieved by the searches to identify randomised trials comparing the combined therapy versus either of the monotherapies, among adults with panic disorder.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently checked eligibility, assessed quality and extracted data from the eligible trials using a standardised data extraction form. The primary outcome was "response" based on global judgement. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted, combining data from included trials.

MAIN RESULTS

Three trials met eligibility criteria. A 16-week behaviour therapy intervention was used in two trials, and a 12-week cognitive-behaviour therapy intervention in the third. Duration of follow-up varied, ranging from 0 to 12 months. Two trials (total 166 participants) provided data comparing combination with psychotherapy alone (both using behaviour therapy). No statistically significant differences were observed in response during the intervention (relative risk (RR) for combination 1.25, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.03, P = 0.35), at the end of the intervention (RR 0.78, 0.45 to 1.35, P = 0.37), or at the last follow-up time point, although the follow-up data suggested that the combination might be inferior to behaviour therapy alone (RR 0.62, 0.36 to 1.07, P = 0.08). One trial (77 participants) compared combination with a benzodiazepine alone. No differences were found in response during the intervention (RR 1.57, 0.83 to 2.98, P = 0.17). Although the combination appeared to be superior to the benzodiazepine alone at the end of treatment (RR 3.39, 1.03 to 11.21, P = 0.05) the finding was only borderline statistically significant, and no significant differences were observed at the 7-month follow-up (RR 2.31, 0.79 to 6.74, P = 0.12).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The review established the paucity of high quality evidence investigating the efficacy of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for panic disorder. Currently, there is inadequate evidence to assess the clinical effects of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for patients who are diagnosed with panic disorder.

Long-term outcome of anxiety disorders: a review of double-blind studies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although anxiety disorders are acknowledged as chronic, the issue of the pharmacological treatment duration remains unsettled. This review focuses on the long-term outcome of patients with anxiety disorders as demonstrated by randomized controlled trials.

RECENT FINDINGS

Results from long-term randomized controlled trials of antidepressants in anxiety disorders indicate that maintenance treatment significantly reduces the odds of relapse, whatever the anxiety disorder is. This result appears to be similar to what is reported in long-term studies in depressive disorders. In addition, regarding the natural course of depressive disorders, acknowledged as mostly recurrent, some patients may require very long-term treatment, that is, more than 2 years. Moreover, naturalistic studies in anxiety disorders indicate that the relapse risk after discontinuation is not associated with the treatment duration. Finally, there is no predictor to identify those patients who require long-term pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders.

SUMMARY

In light of this review, other long-term studies in anxiety disorders have to be undertaken to identify predictors of relapse after treatment discontinuation. As it is now acknowledged for depressive disorders, some patients may require very long-term pharmacological treatment for anxiety disorders.

Three-year medication prophylaxis in panic disorder: to continue or discontinue? A naturalistic study

OBJECTIVE

Little is known about maintenance treatment for panic disorder. The purpose of this naturalistic study is to compare outcomes of remitted panic disorder patients continued on versus those successfully discontinued from maintenance medication.

METHODS

After 3 years of sustained remission with medication in a naturalistic setting, 168 patients were continued on, whereas 37 successfully discontinued from medication. Continued and discontinued groups were followed for an additional 4 to 8 years and compared for differences in treatment outcome using chi(2) and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Times to relapse were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method, and risk factors for relapse were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

The discontinued group was healthier at baseline but had a significantly worse outcome compared with the continued group. Panic-free survival probabilities for the continued group at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 0.87, 0.81, 0.71, and 0.64, respectively, and were significantly higher than respective probabilities of 0.53, 0.35, 0.29, and 0.15 for the discontinued group. Median survival time in the continued group was significantly longer, at 5.67 years, than in the discontinued group, at 1.17 years. Cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduced hazard in the discontinued but not in the continued group. Residual symptoms in either group at time of assignment predicted poorer outcome.

CONCLUSION

Our small study suggests that relapse of panic disorder in routine clinical practice occurs even after long-standing remission on maintenance medication, and that relapse risk appears to be markedly higher after medication discontinuation. Discontinuation may be more successful in candidates who received cognitive behavioral therapy and have minimal residual symptoms.

A double-blind study of the efficacy of venlafaxine extended-release, paroxetine, and placebo in the treatment of panic disorder

To date, no large-scale, controlled trial comparing a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with placebo for the treatment of panic disorder has been reported. This double-blind study compares the efficacy of venlafaxine extended-release (ER) and paroxetine with placebo. A total of 664 nondepressed adult outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of treatment with placebo or fixed-dose venlafaxine ER (75 mg/day or 150 mg/day), or paroxetine 40 mg/day. The primary measure was the percentage of patients free from full-symptom panic attacks, assessed with the Panic and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale (PAAS). Secondary measures included the Panic Disorder Severity Scale, Clinical Global Impressions--Severity (CGI-S) and--Improvement (CGI-I) scales; response (CGI-I rating of very much improved or much improved), remission (CGI-S rating of not at all ill or borderline ill and no PAAS full-symptom panic attacks); and measures of depression, anxiety, phobic fear and avoidance, anticipatory anxiety, functioning, and quality of life. Intent-to-treat, last observation carried forward analysis showed that mean improvement on most measures was greater with venlafaxine ER or paroxetine than with placebo. No significant differences were observed between active treatment groups. Panic-free rates at end point with active treatment ranged from 54% to 61%, compared with 35% for placebo. Approximately 75% of patients given active treatment were responders, and nearly 45% achieved remission. The placebo response rate was slightly above 55%, with remission near 25%. Adverse events were mild or moderate and similar between active treatment groups. Venlafaxine ER and paroxetine were effective and well tolerated in the treatment of panic disorder.

Combined psychotherapy plus antidepressants for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia

BACKGROUND

Panic disorder can be treated with pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy or in combination, but the relative merits of combined therapy have not been well established.

OBJECTIVES

To review evidence concerning short- and long-term advantages and disadvantages of combined psychotherapy plus antidepressant treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, in comparison with either therapy alone.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Controlled Trials Registers (CCDANCTR-Studies and CCDANCTR-References) were searched on 11/10/2005, together with a complementary search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE, using the keywords antidepressant and panic. A reference search, SciSearch and personal contact with experts were carried out.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Two independent review authors identified randomised controlled trials comparing the combined therapy against either of the monotherapies among adult patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two independent review authors extracted data using predefined data formats, including study quality indicators. The primary outcome was relative risk (RR) of "response" i.e. substantial overall improvement from baseline as defined by the original investigators. Secondary outcomes included standardised weighted mean differences in global severity, panic attack frequency, phobic avoidance, general anxiety, depression and social functioning and relative risks of overall dropouts and dropouts due to side effects.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 23 randomised comparisons (representing 21 trials, 1709 patients), 21 of which involved behaviour or cognitive-behaviour therapies. In the acute phase treatment, the combined therapy was superior to antidepressant pharmacotherapy (RR 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 1.52) or psychotherapy (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.31). The combined therapy produced more dropouts due to side effects than psychotherapy (number needed to harm (NNH) around 26). After the acute phase treatment, as long as the drug was continued, the superiority of the combination over either monotherapy appeared to persist. After termination of the acute phase and continuation treatment, the combined therapy was more effective than pharmacotherapy alone (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.11) and was as effective as psychotherapy (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.16).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Either combined therapy or psychotherapy alone may be chosen as first line treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, depending on patient preference.

Characteristics and course of panic disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia in primary care patients

OBJECTIVE

To examine the course of panic disorder (PD) and panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) in 235 primary care patients during a 3-year period.

METHOD

Patients were recruited from primary care waiting rooms and diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. They were reassessed at 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter for diagnosis, treatment, and other clinical and demographic variables. Recruitment occurred between July 1997 and May 2001.

RESULTS

At intake, 85 patients were diagnosed with PD and 150 were diagnosed with PDA. Patients with PD were significantly more likely to achieve recovery (probability estimate, 0.75) from their disorder than patients with PDA (0.22) at the end of 3-year follow-up (p < .0001). There was no difference in recurrence rates between the 2 disorders. Women were more likely to recover from PD (p = .001). At intake, comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (p = .004), higher Global Assessment of Functioning score (p = .0003), and older age at panic onset (p = .05) were related to recovery from PDA, and comorbid major depressive disorder (p = .05) and psychosocial treatment (p = .002) predicted remaining in an episode of PDA. The relationship between psychosocial treatment and poor recovery must be interpreted with caution and is most likely due to the treatment bias effect.

CONCLUSION

Primary care patients with PDA have a chronic course of illness, whereas those with PD have a more relapsing course. Given the significant burden of PD and PDA in primary care, attention to factors relevant to the course of these disorders is important for recognition and for continued improvement of treatment interventions in this setting.

Psychotherapy plus antidepressant for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review

BACKGROUND

Panic disorder can be treated with psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy or a combination of both.

AIMS

To summarise the evidence concerning the short- and long-term benefits and adverse effects of a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant treatment.

METHOD

Meta-analyses and meta-regressions were undertaken using data from all relevant randomised controlled trials identified by a comprehensive literature search. The primary outcome was relative risk (RR) of response.

RESULTS

We identified 23 randomised comparisons (21 trials involving a total of 1709 patients). In the acute-phase treatment, the combined therapy was superior to antidepressant pharmacotherapy (RR=1.24,95% CI1.02-1.52) or psychotherapy (RR=1.16,95% CI1.03-1.30). After termination of the acute-phase treatment, the combined therapy was more effective than pharmacotherapy alone (RR=1.61,95% CI1.23-2.11) and was as effective as psychotherapy (RR=0.96, 95% CI 0.79-1.16).

CONCLUSIONS

Either combined therapy or psychotherapy alone may be chosen as first-line treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, depending on the patient's preferences.

Stress and autoimmune thyroid diseases

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are the far most common autoimmune disorders, their prevalence in Western countries exceeding 5% of the general population. In the large majority of individual cases the clinical impact of AITD is not severe, however, their widespread diffusion renders them a significant health problem. AITD are heterogeneous in their clinical presentation: the two main forms are autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) and Graves' disease (GD). Although they probably share, at least in part, a common genetic background and may occur in the same family as well as in the same individual, they are definitely two distinct diseases both in their clinical presentation and their pathophysiology. In fact, AT causes structural thyroid damage (mainly via cell-mediated immune destruction of thyroid follicular cells) which results, as a rule, in functional impairment (hypothyroidism); however, depending on clinical variants, evolution towards hypothyroidism may be very low, or thyroid function impairment occurs after an initial phase of mild thyrotoxicosis due to relatively rapid gland destruction. GD patients have hyperthyroidism, often severe, due to autoantibody-mediated thyrotropin receptor stimulation, with thyroid cell hyperplasia and hyperfunction. Such a functional heterogeneity is a key feature for the clinical management: as a matter of fact, therapy of AITD is mainly therapy of thyroid dysfunction. Moreover, since hyperthyroidism is quite early perceived by the patient as a cause of discomfort, the timing of the natural history of GD is relatively well defined; on the other hand, AT may be asymptomatic for a long time and defining its natural history in a single patient may be difficult. In some AITD patients (mainly, but not exclusively, with GD), clinical features not directly related to thyroid dysfunction, such as orbitopathy, are present. Graves' orbitopathy is probably related, at least in part, to autoantibodies directed to thyrotropin receptor; it may be, in a minority of patients, severe and sight-threatening, and represents an independent clinical problem.

Potential effectiveness and safety of olanzapine in refractory panic disorder

Panic disorder is a common and disabling psychiatric disorder. Despite treatment advances, refractory panic disorder requires novel interventions. One such pharmacologic intervention with theoretical and case study support includes olanzapine, a thienobenzodiazepine medication currently approved for schizophrenia in the United States. Ten people with refractory DSM-IV diagnosed panic disorder completed an 8-week, open-label, flexible-dose clinical trial. Baseline, in-treatment, and end-of-treatment data for panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance, and impairment were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Refractory panic disorder patients required a wide dose range averaging 12.3 mg/day of olanzapine to significantly improve or ablate panic attacks. On the average, number of attacks decreased from 6.1/week at baseline to 1.1/week at the end of treatment, and anticipatory anxiety from 32% of the day to 8% of the day. At treatment end, 5 of 10 participants (50%) were panic free, 4 (40%) had one attack in the previous week, 1 (10%) had seven attacks in the previous week, and 6 of 10 participants (60%) were anticipatory anxiety free. There were also statistically and clinically significant improvements in impairment over the course of the trial. There were no significant changes in vital signs, emergent side effects, or average weight, although 6 of 10 people did gain weight. Olanzapine is potentially effective and safe in panic disorder. Due to study limitations, further clinical trials are needed to demonstrate effectiveness.

Stress and thyroid autoimmunity

While many studies have shown a connection between stress and autoimmune disease, most of the evidence for stress contributing to the onset and course of autoimmune disease is circumstantial and the mechanisms by which stress affects autoimmune disease are not fully understood. The best circumstantial evidence for an effect of stress on autoimmune thyroid disease is the well-known relationship between the onset of Graves' hyperthyroidism and major stress but even this is debated. However, most of the recent case-control studies have supported stress as a factor that affects the onset and clinical course of Graves' disease. On the other hand, there have been few reports concerning the possible relationship between stress and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Because the onset and course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is generally insidious, the effect of stress on Hashimoto's thyroiditis might be overlooked. Numerous human and animal studies have demonstrated that psychological and physiologic stressors induce various immunologic changes. Stress affects the immune system either directly or indirectly through the nervous and endocrine systems. These immune modulations may contribute to the development of autoimmunity as well as the susceptibility to autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Stress can be one of the environmental factors for thyroid autoimmunity.

SSRIs versus non-SSRIs in post-traumatic stress disorder: an update with recommendations

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent (7.8% lifetime rate) anxiety disorder with impairment in daily functioning, frequent suicidal behaviour and high rates of co-morbidity. Fortunately, PTSD is responsive to pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most studied medications for PTSD, with the largest number of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Of the SSRIs, sertraline, paroxetine and fluoxetine have been the most extensively studied, with sertraline and paroxetine being US FDA-approved for PTSD. These studies have demonstrated that SSRIs are effective in short-term trials (6-12 weeks). Furthermore, continuation and maintenance treatment for 6-12 months decrease relapse rates. Besides being the most studied and effective drugs for PTSD, SSRIs have a favourable adverse effect profile, making them the first-line treatment for PTSD. If SSRIs are not tolerated or are ineffective, non-SSRIs should be considered. Serotonin-potentiating non-SSRIs, such as venlafaxine, nefazodone, trazodone and mirtazapine, have been evaluated in PTSD only in open-label and case studies. Because of their promising results and relatively good safety profile, they should be considered as second-line treatment. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have both been evaluated in a small number of double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. The results have been inconsistent but promising. In the limited comparative studies, MAOIs appeared superior to TCAs but patients continued to have residual symptoms. These drugs have significant adverse effects, such as cardiovascular complications, and safety issues, such as ease of overdose. Therefore, TCAs and MAOIs should be considered as third-line treatment. Anticonvulsants have been evaluated in PTSD in open-label studies and results have been positive for carbamazepine, valproic acid, topiramate and gabapentin. A small double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated efficacy of lamotrigine for PTSD. Anticonvulsants should be considered where co-morbidity of bipolar disorder exists, and where impulsivity and anger predominate. Bupropion (amfebutamone), a predominantly noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor, was ineffective in PTSD in an open-label study. Benzodiazepines were ineffective in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study despite encouraging case reports. They should be avoided or used only short term because of potential depressogenic effects, and the possibility that they may promote or worsen PTSD. Buspirone, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic, was found to be effective in PTSD only in open-label studies. Recently, atypical antipsychotics were as effective as monotherapy and as an augmenter to SSRIs in open-label/case studies and small double-blind, placebo-controlled trials; atypical antipsychotics should be considered in PTSD where paranoia or flashbacks are prominent and in potentiating SSRIs in refractory cases.

Combined paroxetine and clonazepam treatment strategies compared to paroxetine monotherapy for panic disorder

Despite the widespread application of combined selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and benzodiazepine treatment for panic disorder, there has been relatively little systematic assessment of the safety and efficacy of this therapeutic strategy. Although the limited number of studies to date suggest a more rapid onset of benefit with combined treatment, this study is the first to address the critical question of whether continued combined treatment confers superior efficacy. This study is a randomized, double-blind, three-arm study in patients with panic disorder (n = 60), comparing the efficacy and safety of paroxetine and placebo (PP), paroxetine coadministered with clonazepam followed by a tapered benzodiazepine discontinuation phase (PC-D), and ongoing combination treatment (PC-M). All treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement by endpoint. There was a significant advantage for the combined treatment groups early in treatment but, subsequently, outcome in all three groups was similar. A trend towards greater achievement of endpoint remission status for the PC-D group was attenuated when variability in baseline severity was considered. The results of this study should be interpreted in the context of a relatively moderate sample size and higher rates of early dropout. Combined treatment with paroxetine and clonazepam resulted in more rapid response than with the SSRI alone, but there was no differential benefit beyond the initial few weeks of therapy. Initiating combined treatment followed by benzodiazepine taper after a few weeks may provide early benefit while avoiding the potential adverse consequences of long-term combination therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: a review of treatment elements, strategies, and outcomes

This article provides an overview of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder. CBT is currently considered a first-line treatment for panic disorder. It offers benefit after short-term intervention, typically consisting of 12-15 sessions conducted in either an individual or a group format. The treatment focuses on the elimination of the patterns that underlie and perpetuate the disorder. Through CBT, patients learn about the nature of the disorder and acquire a set of strategies that counter the fears of panic attacks themselves, and break the recurring cycle of anticipatory anxiety, panic, and agoraphobic avoidance. The collaborative format of treatment, and a focus on elimination of core fears may be factors in enhancing longer-term outcome. In this article, we review the efficacy of CBT as a first-line treatment, a strategy for medication nonresponders, a replacement strategy for patients who wish to discontinue pharmacotherapy, and a potential preventive strategy for at-risk individuals. We also discuss some of the complex issues involved with combination-treatment strategies.