Relative hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with panic disorder: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work was to examine a possible association between a clinically relevant panic disorder and plasma total homocysteine concentration.

METHODS

23 patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia confirmed by a standardized clinical interview (Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-German version) and 23 healthy controls matched for gender and age completed questionnaires (SCL-K9, STAI, ADS, STAXI) and had blood drawn after a 15 min rest. Plasma total homocysteine concentrations were measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Interfering variables such as age, gender, smoking status, comorbid depression and medication were controlled for.

RESULTS

Patients with panic disorder had higher plasma homocysteine concentrations in comparison to the control group (mean value 11.00 vs. 9.14 mumol/l, p = 0.04 with age, gender, smoking status, comorbid depression and antidepressant medication being controlled for). Furthermore, homocysteine plasma concentration was positively correlated with Global Severity of Symptoms (SCL-K9, r(Pearson) = 0.41, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest a link between elevated plasma homocysteine levels and panic disorder. This raises a new hypothesis of another pathway to an increased risk of cardiovascular events in anxious individuals.