PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - N. Livermore
AU  - L. Sharpe
AU  - D. McKenzie
TI  - Prevention of panic attacks and panic disorder in COPD
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00060309
DP  - 2010 Mar 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 557--563
VI  - 35
IP  - 3
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/35/3/557.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/35/3/557.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2010 Mar 01; 35
AB  - This study examined whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could prevent the development or worsening of panic-spectrum psychopathology and anxiety symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 41 patients with COPD, who had undergone pulmonary rehabilitation, were randomised to either a four-session CBT intervention condition (n = 21) or a routine care condition (n = 20). Assessments were at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6-, 12- and 18-month follow-ups. Primary outcomes were the rates of panic attacks, panic disorder and anxiety symptoms. Secondary outcomes were depressive symptoms, catastrophic cognitions about breathing difficulties, disease-specific quality of life and hospital admission rates. There were no significant differences between the groups on outcome measures at baseline. By the 18-month follow-up assessment, 12 (60%) routine care group participants had experienced at least one panic attack in the previous 6 months, with two (17%) of these being diagnosed with panic disorder, while no CBT group participants experienced any panic attacks during the follow-up phase. There were also significant reductions in anxiety symptoms and catastrophic cognitions in the CBT group at all three follow-ups and a lower number of hospital admissions between the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The study provides evidence that a brief, specifically targeted CBT intervention can treat panic attacks in COPD patients and prevent the development and worsening of panic-spectrum psychopathology and anxiety symptoms.