Different temperament and character dimensions correlate with panic disorder comorbidity in bipolar disorder and unipolar depression.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate temperament and character correlates of panic disorder (PD) comorbidity in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) or unipolar depression (UD).

METHODS

Temperament and character were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory Revised (TCI-R) in 181 patients (70 patients with BD-I, 51 patients with BD-II and 60 with UD) in a euthymic state for at least 2 months.

RESULTS

PD was diagnosed in 14.3% of BD-I patients, 31.4% of BD-II and 40% of UD. BD patients with PD, when compared with BD patients without PD, had higher scores on harm avoidance (OR=1.04; 95% CI=1.02-1.07; p=0.002). Patients with UD and PD, when compared to patients with UD without PD, had higher scores on social acceptance (OR=1.27; 95% CI=1.08-1.49; p=0.004).

CONCLUSION

Different temperament and character dimensions correlated with PD comorbidity in BD and UD patients, suggesting different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.