P-117 - Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Comorbidity

Abstract

The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of depression among two samples of patients followed for panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and to identify the correlated factors with depression in both disorders

Methods

Sixty five patients diagnosed panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, having a follow up in the psychiatric department of University hospital of Sfax in Tunisia, were included in the study.

Patients were evaluated by a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic parameters, and the Beck Depression Inventory

Results

Depression was associated with panic disorder in 68.6% of cases and in 56.7% with generalized anxiety disorder. In the sample of patients having a panic disorder, depression was correlated with unemployment (p = 0.048), a low educational level (p = 0.021), an addictive behavior (p = 0.015) and an impaired quality of life (p = 0.012) For patients having a generalized anxiety disorder, depression was correlated with alcoholism (p = 0.04) and an impaired quality of life (p = 0.017)

Conclusion

These data confirm the existence of a relationship between depression, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

These clinical findings lead to the unitary concept of anxiety and depression.