Impulsivity is a core feature of bipolar disorder (BD). The best definition of impulsivity is the predisposition to have rapid and unplanned reactions to internal and external stimuli without regard to the negative consequences of these actions to the impulsive individual or others. Thus, the aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between impulsivity, panic disorder (PD) comorbidity and panic spectrum symptoms in patients with BD.

247 eutimic patients were assessed with SCID-P, MOOD-SR, PAS-SR. Impulsivity dimension was defined on the basis BIS Scale score (version 11).

A backward stepwise logistic regression in bipolar patients with PAS explained score statistically much higher for impulsivity (pas +6.09 vs pas - 3.88 p < 001) and the difference is statistically significant stratifing for BD. A stepwise linear regression, corrected by age and gender, displayed significantly statistical correlation with impulsivity score and PAS-SR by cut-off 35 (OR = 1.210).

In our sample BD eutimic patients explained score statistically much higher for impulsivity. This data confirm the presence of the trait impulsivity in BD eutimic patients. BD patients with a comorbid anxiety disorder seem to display significant higher levels of impulsivity when compared to patients without an anxiety disorder. Impulsivity was linked with atypical panic like symptoms more with PD diagnosis. Results suggest the presence of specific bipolar disorder endophenotipe. Further neurobiologies studies are needed to elucidate the implications and reasons of this association.