Anxiety sensitivity does not predict fearful responding to 35% carbon dioxide in patients with panic disorder

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between anxiet y sensitivity, as measured by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), and four dimensions of behavioural reactivity to a single inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide (CO2) in 31 patients with panic disorder. ASI scores correlated pos itively with baseline State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores but did not corr elate with post-CO2 scores. Correlational analyses revealed a significant, albeit modest, correlation between anxiety sensitivity and cognitive sympto ms induced with CO2. However, no significant association was found between anxiety sensitivity and other dimensions of CO2-induced anxiety, including severity of somatic symptoms, subjective levels of anxiety, fear or apprehe nsion, and fear of the somatic symptoms induced by CO2. Overall, these data do not support the view that anxiety sensitivity plays a key role in media ting behavioural sensitivity to CO2 inhalation in panic disorder. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.