Factors associated with pain level in non-cardiac chest pain patients with comorbid panic disorder.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Panic disorder (PD) is highly prevalent in patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). This study aims to explore the role of psychological factors (PD intensity, anxiety sensitivity, heart-related fear, attention and avoidance) common to NCCP and PD in predicting chest pain levels in patients with both conditions. METHODS:This association was investigated in emergency department patients with NCCP and PD receiving either evidence-based treatment of PD or treatment as usual. Patients were assessed at baseline and 14 weeks later for post-treatment. RESULTS:Only heart-focused fear and attention for cardiac sensations independently explained a significant portion of the variance in baseline pain (n?=?66). At 3 months follow-up (n?=?53), changes in heart-related fear was the only factor independently associated with changes in chest pain intensity. Even in patients with PD, fear specific to cardiac sensations seems to play a central role in determining NCCP intensity. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that the efficacy of intervention for patients with PD and comorbid NCCP could be improved by targeting heart-related fear and attention. TRIAL REGISTRATION:NCT00736346.

SUBMITTER: Foldes-Busque G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5070074 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature