Antipanic drugs and pulmonary function in panic disorder patients

Authors

  • Isabella Nascimento Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Instituto de Psiquiatria; Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração
  • Valfrido Leão de Melo-Neto Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Instituto de Psiquiatria; Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração
  • Alexandre Martins Valença Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Instituto de Psiquiatria; Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração
  • Fabiana Leão Lopes Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Instituto de Psiquiatria; Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração
  • Rafael Christophe da Rocha Freire Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Instituto de Psiquiatria; Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração
  • Laura Andréa Cassabian Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho; Instituto de Doença do Tórax; Laboratório de Função Pulmonar
  • Cristiane Sousa Nascimento Baez Garcia Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho; Laboratório de Investigação Pulmonar
  • Walter Araújo Zin UFRJ; IBCCF; Laboratório de Fisiologia da Respiração
  • Antonio Egidio Nardi Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Instituto de Psiquiatria; Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832009000400001

Keywords:

Lung function, spirometry, respiration, salbutamol, anxiety disorder

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest an association between panic disorder (PD) and impairment of lung function. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate lung function in 11 asymptomatic PD patients and to investigate antipanic drug effects on respiratory function. METHOD: Lung function was evaluated on two different occasions (with antipanic drugs and after drug washout). It was comprised of a spirometric evaluation and a bronchodilation test (salbutamol inhalation). Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS) was applied before and after each spirometric assessment. RESULTS: One patient showed mild obstructive airway impairment. Before bronchodilation test forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the forced vital capacity (FEF25-75) were significantly higher in patients on antipanic drugs than in those in the washout period. After salbutamol inhalation, only FEV1 was significantly higher in patients with antipanic drugs in comparison to the other group, whereas a significant increase in FEV1 and FEF25-75 after salbutamol inhalation was detected in patients without antipanic drugs. The subjective anxiety level was not different among PD patients in both test days. DISCUSSION: These results suggest a possible beneficial effect of the antipanic drug on lung function in PD patients.

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Published

2009-01-01

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 4 (2009)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Antipanic drugs and pulmonary function in panic disorder patients . (2009). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 36(4), 123-129. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832009000400001