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Agoraphobia and panic : prospective-longitudinal relations suggest a rethinking of diagnostic concepts

Wittchen, Hans-Ulrich and Nocon, Agnes and Beesdo, Katja and Pine, Daniel S. and Hoefler, Michael and Lieb, Roselind and Gloster, Andrew T.. (2008) Agoraphobia and panic : prospective-longitudinal relations suggest a rethinking of diagnostic concepts. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 77 (3). pp. 147-157.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5248941

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Abstract

Background: The relationship of panic attacks (PA), panic disorder (PD) and agoraphobia (AG) is controversial. The aim of the current study is to prospectively examine the 10-year natural course of PA, PD and AG in the first three decades of life, their stability and their reciprocal transitions. Methods: DSM-IV syndromes were assessed via Composite International Diagnostic Interview -Munich version in a 10-year prospective-longitudinal community study of 3,021 subjects aged 14 -24 years at baseline. Results: (1) Incidence patterns for PA (9.4 (with and without AG: 3.4 of onset, incidence risk and gender differentiation. (2) Temporally primary PA and PD revealed only a moderately increased risk for subsequent onset of AG, and primary AG had an even lower risk for subsequent PA and PD. (3) In strictly prospective analyses, all baseline groups (PA, PD, AG) had low remission rates (0 -23 Baseline PD with AG or AG with PA were more likely to have follow-up AG, PA and other anxiety disorders and more frequent complications (impairment, disability, help-seeking, comorbidity as compared to PD without AG and AG without PA. Conclusions: Differences in incidence patterns, syndrome progression and outcome, and syndrome stability over time indicate that AG exists as a clinically significant phobic condition independent of PD. The majority of agoraphobic subjects in this community sample never experienced PA, calling into question the current pathogenic assumptions underlying the classification of AG as merely a consequence of panic. The findings point to the necessity of rethinking diagnostic concepts and DSM diagnostic hierarchies. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Faculties and Departments:07 Faculty of Psychology > Departement Psychologie > Health & Intervention > Klinische Psychologie und Epidemiologie (Lieb)
UniBasel Contributors:Gloster, Andrew and Lieb, Roselind
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Karger
ISSN:0033-3190
e-ISSN:1423-0348
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
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Last Modified:25 Oct 2017 05:59
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 13:43

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