Current rates and symptom profiles of panic disorder in six cross-national studies

Author: Weissman MM, Canino GJ, Greenwald S, Joyce PR, Karam EG, Lee CK, Rubio Stipec M, Wells JE, Wickramaratne PJ, Wittchen H U

Source:
Clinical neuropharmacology, 18, S1-S6.
One-month and 6-month prevalence and symptom profiles of panic disorder from six cross-national epidemiologic studies are reported. These studies were conducted at five sites in the United States, Puerto Rico, Germany. Lebanon, Korea, and New Zealand. Results show that the 1- and 6-month rates were consistent in the five sites in the United States and in other countries. There was a predominance of females in the rates of panic disorder in most countries. Palpitations and trembling were prevalent in 60% or more persons with panic disorder at all sites. The results show that panic disorder is present with similar phenomenology in diverse cultures that have been studied.