To explore the gender differences in Axis I and Axis II disorders comorbidity in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia (PDA).

The sample consisted of 157 consecutive patients (71.3% females) with principal diagnosis of PDA. The assessment included administration of SCID-I and SCID-II. Women and men were then compared with regards to the type and frequency of the comorbid Axis I and Axis II disorders.

Axis I disorders. Men (2.02±1.82) and women (2.05±1.27) did not differ significantly the mean number of comorbid Axis I diagnoses per patient but women had a significantly higher rate of at least one comorbid Axis I diagnosis (87.5% vs. 73.3%) and a significantly higher rate of at least one comorbid anxiety disorder (79.5% vs. 53.3%). Women had a significantly higher frequency of specific phobia (58.9% vs 33.3%) and major depressive disorder (51.8% vs. 35.6%) than men. Men had a significantly higher rate of hypochondriasis (26.7% vs. 7.1%) and past alcohol abuse/dependence (33.3% vs. 0.9%). Axis II disorders. Men and women did not differ on the mean number of personality disorder (PD) diagnoses (1.02 vs. 0.96) and the distribution of at least one PD diagnosis (51.1% vs. 53.6%). Women had significantly higher rate of dependent PD (27.7% vs. 11.1%) and men had higher rate of narcissistic PD (15.6% vs. 6.3%).