Treatment of patients with panic disorder and comorbid depression

Background: Cognitive-behavioral interventions'(CBT) are successful in the treatment of panic disorder, but the "transfer" of these treatments into routine clinical care as well as the appropriateness for complex and comorbid disorders has been questionned. Objective: We tested the suitability of CBT in a routine clinical care setting and for patients with comorbidity of panic and major depression. Methods: The trial included 165 patients with panic disorder: 55 patients had "pure" panic disorder, 73 patients had panic disorder and current major depression, and 37 patients had panic disorder and a history of depression without present major depressive disorder. Patients were assessed 6 months prior to treatment, at admission, at discharge, and one year after. Results: All groups showed comparable benefits during the treatment period. Patients with panic disorder and current major depression had higher scores for anxiety specific variables as well as for general disability. Conclusions: We could demonstrate the positive effects of CBT in routine clinical care even for comorbid problems.