Abstract | BACKGROUND: Current recommendations suggest that pharmacotherapy for patients with panic disorder should be continued for at least 1 year [Am. J. Psychiatry 155 (1998) 1], despite a paucity of data systematically examining outcome for periods greater than 3-6 months. It is critically important to obtain more information on the effectiveness of medications over time for patients who initially responded to pharmacotherapy for panic disorder. METHODS: Long-term outcome was examined for 78 patients who attained a 2-month period of sustained remission on medication and received maintenance pharmacotherapy for up to 24 months during the Massachusetts General Hospital Longitudinal Study of Panic Disorder, a prospective, naturalistic study. Participants were categorized by their maintenance treatment condition at remission: benzodiazepine alone (N = 45, 58%), antidepressant alone (N = 12, 16%), and combined treatment with a benzodiazepine and an antidepressant (N = 21, 27%). RESULTS: Approximately half (N = 36, 46%) of the patients who had achieved remission relapsed at some time over the 2-year naturalistic study period, despite continued and adequate pharmacotherapy. There was no difference in timing or frequency of relapse by type of maintenance pharmacotherapy. LIMITATIONS: Interpretation of the data is limited by the naturalistic nature of the study, and by the relatively low sample size. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Naomi M Simon, Steven A Safren, Michael W Otto, Saumya G Sharma, Gretchen D Lanka, Mark H Pollack |
Journal | Journal of affective disorders
(J Affect Disord)
Vol. 69
Issue 1-3
Pg. 201-8
(May 2002)
ISSN: 0165-0327 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 12103467
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Anxiety Agents
- Antidepressive Agents
- Benzodiazepines
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Topics |
- Adult
- Anti-Anxiety Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Antidepressive Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Benzodiazepines
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Panic Disorder
(drug therapy)
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