Nonfearful Panic Disorder in Chest Pain Patients: : Status after Nine-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Chest pain patients (N = 199) consecutively referred to cardiology outpatient clinics were reassessed after nine years by cardiological and psychiatric (SCID I) examinations. Of patients with nonfearful panic disorder (NFPD) (N = 17) at baseline, none fulfilled criteria for NFPD at follow-up, but 18% had panic disorder with fear (PD). The outcome of patients with NFPD and PD (N=59) at baseline did not differ significantly with respect to psychiatric comorbidity, chest pain (SF-MPQ), health care utilization, and health-related quality of life (SF-36). NFPD should be considered a subgroup of PD, which will have a significant impact on the long-term outcome of chest pain patients.