Predictors of work disabilities in patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to ascertain predictors of work insufficiency in patients with panic disorder (PD) with agoraphobia (AG).

METHOD: Linear regression was used to identify predictors of work insufficiency in a sample of 72 consecutive outpatients with PD with AG. Intensity of work insufficiency was ascertained from modified National Institute of Mental Health Panic Questionnaire (NIMH PQ). That represented dependent variable. Independent variables were demographic data, duration of illness, presence of comorbid current major depression episode, presence of any personality disorder and scores on the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) subscales: panic attacks, AG (avoidance behavior), anticipatory anxiety and worries about health.

RESULTS

Patients reported severe work insufficiency. The best predict variable for the work insufficiency in patients with PD with AG was high score on the PAS dimension of AG.

CONCLUSION

Patients generally reported severe effects of PD with AG on work efficacy and the results suggested that the impaired work efficacy was the most associated with avoidance behavior. These results recommend that the treatment of PD with AG patients should be related to decreasing avoidance behavior in order to establish adequate work performance in patients.