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. 2023 Oct;55(10):102703.
doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2023.102703. Epub 2023 Jun 16.

Characteristics of patients with panic disorder attended in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional multicenter study

Miquel Roca  1 , Antonio Torres Villamor  2 , Vicente Gasull Molinera  3 , Margarita Gili  4
Affiliations

Characteristics of patients with panic disorder attended in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional multicenter study

Miquel Roca et al. Aten Primaria. 2023 Oct.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To assess the prevalence of panic disorder during the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional multicenter study.

Setting: Primary care.

Participants: Participating primary care physicians selected patients visiting their primary care centers for any reason over a 16-month period.

Main outcome measure: Diagnosis of panic disorder was established using The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) instrument.

Results: Of a total of 678 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 36 presented with panic disorder, with a prevalence of 5.3% (95% confidence interval 3.6-7.0). A total of 63.9% of cases occurred in women. The mean age was 46.7±17.1 years. Socioeconomic difficulties, such as very low monthly income rate, unemployment, and financial constraints to make housing payments and to make ends meet were more frequent in patients with panic disorders as compared to patients without panic disorder. A high level of stress (Holmes-Rahe scale>300), concomitant chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel disease, and having financial difficulties in the past 6 months were associated with factors of panic disorder.

Discussion: This study characterizes patients with panic disorder diagnosed with a validated instrument during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified risk factors for this disease.

Conclusions: In non-selected consecutive primary care attendees in real-world conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of panic disorder was 5.3%, being more frequent in women. There is a need to enhance primary care resources for mental health care during the duration of the pandemic and beyond.

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia del trastorno de pánico durante la segunda y tercera olas de la pandemia por COVID-19.

Diseño: Estudio transversal multicéntrico.

Emplazamiento: Atención primaria.

Participantes: Los médicos participantes seleccionaron a pacientes atendidos en atención primaria por cualquier motivo durante 16 meses.

Medición principal: Trastorno de pánico diagnosticado usando el cuestionario Primary Care Evaluation Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD).

Resultados: De un total de 678 pacientes elegibles, 36 presentaban un trastorno de pánico, con una prevalencia del 5,3% (intervalo de confianza del 95% 3,6-7,0). Un 63,9% de los casos se presentaron en mujeres. La edad media fue de 46,7 ± 17,1 años. Las dificultades socioeconómicas, como bajos ingresos mensuales, falta de empleo y restricciones económicas para pagos de la vivienda y llegar a final de mes eran más frecuentes en los pacientes con trastorno de pánico que en aquellos sin. Los factores asociados al trastorno de pánico fueron un alto nivel de estrés (escala de Holmes-Rahe > 300), síndrome de fatiga crónica concomitante e intestino irritable y dificultades económicas en los últimos 6 meses.

Discusión: Este estudio caracteriza a los pacientes con trastorno de pánico diagnosticados mediante un instrumento validado durante la pandemia por COVID-19 e identifica los factores de riesgo.

Conclusiones: En pacientes consecutivos no seleccionado en condiciones del mundo real durante la pandemia por COVID-19, la prevalencia del trastorno de pánico fue del 5,3%, siendo más frecuente en mujeres. Es necesario aumentar los recursos para la salud mental durante y más allá de la duración de la pandemia.

Keywords: Atención primaria; COVID-19; Crisis socioeconómica; Eventos estresantes; Panic disorder; Primary care; Socioeconomic crisis; Stressful events; Trastorno del pánico.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of patients in the different categories of level of external stressors according to scores of the Holmes–Rahe scale with significant differences (p < 0.001) between the groups of patients with and without panic disorder.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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