Korean Medication Algorithm for Panic Disorder 2008 : Diagnosis, Treatment Response and Remission of Panic Disorder in Korea

한국형 공황장애 약물치료 알고리듬 2008 : 공황장애의 진단, 치료 반응과 관해의 평가

Objective : This article is a part of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Panic Disorder, which aims to build consensus regarding the diagnosis, treatment response and achievement of clinical remission for patients with panic disorder in Korea. Methods : The questionnaire used in this article had parts : 1) diagnosis, 2) treatment response, and 3) remission for patients with panic disorder. The questionnaire was completed by each of 54 Korean psychiatrists who had much experience in treating patients with panic disorder. We classified the experts' opinions into 3 categories (first-line, second-line, and third-line) using the ${\chi}^2$-test. Results : Five factors were considered in this research : panic attack, anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance, severity of illness, and psychosocial disability. Most reviewers agreed that the presence of a panic attack was the most important factor in the diagnosis of patients with panic disorder. Phobic avoidance was included in the first-line category, whereas the severity of illness and psychosocial disability were included in the second-line category. Most reviewers also agreed that the presence of a panic attack was the most important factor in determining the appropriate treatment response, and it was included in the first-line category along with several other items. To determine remission status, the patients' scores on tests pertaining to the severity of panic attack, anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance, severity of illness and psychosocial disability should be less than 3.0-3.3 on a 9-point Likert scale. Conclusion : We suggest useful information for making a diagnosisof panic disorder, determining the appropriate treatment response and identifying remission in panic disorder patients on the basis of the results of a nationwide survey of experts in Korea.