Epidemiological survey of panic disorder in Baoding

Objective To descr ibe the prevalence and distribution of panic disorder in Baoding.Methods From Oct.2004 to Mar.2005,stratified multi-stage cluster randomization was used to identify 10073 subjects aged 18 years or over in Baoding.An expanded version of the General Health Questionnaire(GHQ-12)was used to identify subjects athigh,moderate and low risk for having a panic disorder,then psychiatrists made diagnoses according to the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder(DSM-Ⅳ)criteria after conducting a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-Ⅳ -TR Axis ⅳ Disorders-Patient Edition(SCID-I/P).The Global Assessment Function(GAF)was used to assess the rate of psychological,social and vocational functional impairment.Results 9021 subjects completed the screening.The overall lifetime prevalence of panic disorder was 0.60%,and the over all current prevalence of panic disorder was 0.42%.The lifetime and current prevalence of panic disorder without agoraphobia was 0.55% and 0.38%,respectively.The lifetime and current prevalence of panic disorder with agoraphobia was 0.04% and 0.03%,respectively.The current prevalence of panic disorder was higher in female(0.66%)than in male(0.15%)(P<0.01),and in rural(0.46%)than in urban areas(0.09%)(P<0.01).The current prevalence was highest in the subjects aged 50~59 years(0.99%)than others.The rate of panic disorder with comorbid current other mental disorders was 62.5%.A percentage of 4.17% of panic disorder had sought treatment from mental health services.Conclusion Panic disorder was seen frequently in rural women and como rbidity between panic disorder and other mental disorders was common.Only a few of panic disorder had sought treatment from mental health services.