HYPERVENTILATION AND PANIC ATTACKS IN GENERAL-HOSPITAL PATIENTS

The 2-week prevalence of panic attacks according to DSM-III-R criteria was assessed in 102 general hospital patients with unexplained somati c symptoms suggestive of the hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). Thirty-s ix patients were classified as panickers. In comparison to nonpanicker s, panickers reported more severe panic and hyperventilation symptoms and state anxiety during anxiety episodes in daily life and also obtai ned higher scores on measures for depression, generalized anxiety, ago raphobic anxiety, and agoraphobic avoidance. During the Hyperventilati on Provocation Test, panickers reported more panic and hyperventilatio n symptoms and state anxiety and also rated their symptoms to be more similar to those occurring in daily life than nonpanickers. However, n o differences were observed between panickers and nonpanickers in base excess values or in minute respiratory volume, respiratory rate, or f raction of end-tidal carbon dioxide during the resting, hyperventilati on, and recovery phase. It is concluded that the prevalence of panic a ttacks in this group of patients is relatively high and that medical s pecialists must be more attentive to the occurrence of panic attacks o r panic disorder in general hospital patients with unexplained somatic symptoms suggestive of HVS.