Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T22:20:45.919Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Galway Study of Panic Disorder IV

Temporal Stability of Diagnosis by Present State Examination Test–Retest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

D. O'Rourke
Affiliation:
St Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland
T. J. Fahy*
Affiliation:
Clinical Science Institute, University College Hospital, Galway
P. Prescott
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematical Studies, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ
*
Professor T. J. Fahy, Clinical Science Institute, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland

Abstract

Background

A long-term outcome study of DSM–III–R panic disorder included the Present State Examination (PSE) at baseline and follow up five to six years later.

Method

PSE test–retest and individual within-patient change scores on various PSE syndromes were assessed for consistency with either a categorical view of panic disorder as a stable clinical entity or panic disorder as one facet only of a ‘general neurotic syndrome’.

Results

PSE profile at baseline was virtually identical with that at follow up. Few patients had ‘changed’ in PSE syndrome diagnosis after five to six years.

Conclusion

These data, although not conclusive, are supportive of the concept of DSM–III–R panic disorder as a stable clinical entity and are correspondingly difficult to reconcile with the view that panic disorder is but one facet only of a general neurotic syndrome.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andrews, G., Stewart, O., Morris-Yates, A., et al (1990) Evidence for a general neurotic syndrome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 611.Google Scholar
Fahy, T. J., O'Rourke, D., Brophy, J., et al (1992) The Galway study of panic disorder. I. Clomipramine and lofepramine in DSM–III–R panic disorder a placebo-controlled trial Journal of Affective Disorders, 25, 6376.Google Scholar
Orley, J. & Wind, J. K. (1979) Psychiatric disorders in two African villages. Archives of General Psychiatry, 36, 513520.Google Scholar
O'Rourke, D., Fahy, T. J., Brophy, J., et al (1996) The Galway study of panic disorder III. Outcome at 5 to 6 years. British Journal of Psychiatry, 168, 462469.Google Scholar
Roth, M. (1990) Categorical and unitary classification of neurotic disorder. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 83, 609614.Google Scholar
Roth, M. (1992) Concept of general neurotic syndrome. In Handbook of Anxiety, Vol. 5 (eds Burrows, G. D., Roth, M. & Noyes, R. Jr), pp. 1 19. Elsevier Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Schapira, K., Roth, M., Kerr, T. A., et al (1972) The prognosis of affective disorders: the differentiation of anxiety states from depressive illnesses. British Journal of Psychiatry, 121, 175181.Google Scholar
Tyrer, P. (1990) The division of neurosis: a failed classification. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 83, 614616.Google Scholar
Tyrer, P., Alexander, J., Remington, M., et al (1987) Relationship between neurotic symptoms and neurotic diagnosis: a longitudinal study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 13, 1321.Google Scholar
Tyrer, P., Sievewright, N., Murphy, S., et al (1988) The Nottingham study of neurotic disorder comparison of drug and psychological treatment Lancet, ii, 235240.Google Scholar
Tyrer, P., Sievewright, N., Ferguson, B., et al (1993) The Nottingham study of neurotic disorder Effect of personality status on response to drug treatment, cognitive therapy and self-help over two years. British Journal of Psychiatry, 162, 219226.Google Scholar
Wing, J. K. (1983) Use and misuse of the PSE. British Journal of Psychiatry, 143, 111117.Google Scholar
Wing, J. K., Cooper, J. E. & Sartorius, N. (1974) The Measurement and Classification of Psychiatric Symptoms. An Instrument Manual for the PSE and CATEGO Program. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Wing, J. K., & Sturt, E. (1978) The PSE–ID–CATEGO System: A Supplementary Manual. London: Institute of Psychiatry.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.