Blindness of clinical evaluators, parents, and children in a placebo-controlled trial of fluvoxamine

OBJECTIVE: Few of the increasing number of pediatric clinical trials of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in children have been evaluated for level of blindness of investigators, children, and parents. The success of the masking procedures used in a double-blind, pediatric trial of fluvoxamine in children was examined. METHOD: Clinical evaluators, parents, and children were asked to guess individual treatment assignment at the end of an 8-week, placebo-controlled trial of fluvoxamine conducted in 128 outpatients (6-17 years of age) with anxiety disorders. The relationship between treatment attribution and improvement status or presence of adverse events was examined. RESULTS: The rate of correct guesses was significantly greater than chance among clinical evaluators (78%), parents (81%), and children (67%) (for all, p < 0.001). Attribution to fluvoxamine was associated with presence of clinical improvement, and attribution to placebo with lack of improvement (p < 0.001) in both the fluvoxamine and placebo group. There was no association between presence of adverse events and direction of the guess. Accuracy of the guess did not improve with time. CONCLUSIONS: The tendency to attribute improvement to active treatment and lack of improvement to placebo was consistent across investigators, parents, and children and was applied regardless of actual treatment received by the patient. Adverse events did not influence treatment attribution.     

A double-blind,placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of controlled-release fluvoxamine in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this 12-week, double-blind, flexible-dose, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, multicenter trial was to determine the safety and efficacy of fluvoxamine in a controlled-release (CR) formulation in adult outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHOD: 253 adult outpatients with DSM-IV OCD were randomly assigned to receive 100 to 300 mg of fluvoxamine CR (N = 127) or placebo (N = 126) once daily for 12 weeks. Intent-to-treat analyses of efficacy assessments with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S), and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I) were conducted. RESULTS: Fluvoxamine CR was significantly (p <.05) superior to placebo in decreasing YBOCS total score beginning at week 2. This early response was sustained at all subsequent visits. At endpoint, there was a mean decrease of 8.5 +/- 0.7 (31.7%) in the YBOCS total score compared with baseline in the fluvoxamine CR treatment group versus a mean decrease of 5.6 +/- 0.7 (21.2%) in the placebo group (p =.001). Fluvoxamine CR was also significantly superior to placebo in lowering the severity of illness (CGI-S, p =.002) and in producing clinical improvement (CGI-I, p <.01). At endpoint, significantly greater percentages of the fluvoxamine CR treatment group were responders (p =.002) and remitters (p =.019) compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Over 12 weeks, fluvoxamine CR treatment was associated with a statistically significant and clinically relevant reduction in OCD severity and was found to be safe and well tolerated. The early onset of therapeutic effect, starting from week 2, was of particular interest.     

Predominance of anger in depressive disorders compared with anxiety disorders and somatoform disorders

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to make a comparison regarding various dimensions of anger between depressive disorder and anxiety disorder or somatoform disorder. METHOD: The subjects included 73 patients with depressive disorders, 67 patients with anxiety disorders, 47 patients with somatoform disorders, and 215 healthy controls (diagnoses made according to DSM-IV criteria). Anger measures--the Anger Expression Scale, the hostility subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the anger and aggression subscales of the Stress Response Inventory--were used to assess the anger levels. The severity of depression, anxiety, phobia, and somatization was assessed using the SCL-90-R. RESULTS: The depressive disorder group showed significantly higher levels of anger on the Stress Response Inventory than the anxiety disorder, somatoform disorder, and control groups (p < .05). The depressive disorder group scored significantly higher on the anger-out and anger-total subscales of the Anger Expression Scale than the somatoform disorder group (p < .05). On the SCL-90-R hostility subscale, the depressive disorder group also scored significantly higher than the anxiety disorder group (p < .05). Within the depressive disorder group, the severity of depression was significantly positively correlated with the anger-out score (r = 0.49, p < .001), whereas, in the somatoform and anxiety disorder groups, the severity of depression was significantly positively correlated with the anger-in score (somatoform disorder: r = 0.51, p < .001; anxiety disorder: r = 0.57, p < .001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that depressive disorder patients are more likely to have anger than anxiety disorder or somatoform disorder patients and that depressive disorder may be more relevant to anger expression than somatoform disorder.     

Anxiety disorders in 318 bipolar patients: prevalence and impact on illness severity and response to mood stabilizer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and impact of anxiety disorders on illness severity and response to mood stabilizers in bipolar disorders. METHOD: 318 bipolar patients consecutively admitted to the psychiatric wards of 2 centers as inpatients were recruited. Patients were interviewed with a French version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies providing DSM-IV Axis I diagnoses and demographic and historical illness characteristics. Logistic and linear regressions to adjust for age and sex were performed. RESULTS: In a population with mostly bipolar type I patients (75%), 24% had at least 1 lifetime anxiety disorder (47% of these patients had more than 1 such disorder), 16% of patients had panic disorder (with and without agoraphobia, and panic attacks), 11% had phobia (agoraphobia without panic disorder, social phobia, and other specific phobias), and 3% had obsessive-compulsive disorder. Comorbidity with anxiety disorders was not correlated with severity of bipolar illness as assessed by the number of hospitalizations, psychotic characteristics, misuse of alcohol and drugs, and suicide attempts (violent and nonviolent). Bipolar patients with an early onset of illness had more comorbidity with panic disorder (p <.05). Anxiety disorders were detected more frequently in bipolar II patients than in other patients, but this difference was not significant (p =.09). Bipolar patients with anxiety responded less well to anticonvulsant drugs than did bipolar subjects without anxiety disorder (p <.05), whereas the efficacy of lithium was similar in the 2 groups. There was also a strong correlation between comorbid anxiety disorders and depressive temperament in bipolar patients (p =.004). CONCLUSION: Patients with bipolar disorders often have comorbid anxiety disorders, particularly patients with depressive temperament, and the level of comorbidity seems to decrease the response to anticonvulsant drugs.     

Mediators and Moderators of Outcome in the Behavioral Treatment of Childhood Social Phobia

ObjectiveThe current study examined mediators and moderators of treatment response among children and adolescents (ages 7–17 years) with a primary diagnosis of social phobia.MethodParticipants were 88 youths participating in one of two randomized controlled treatment trials of Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children. Potential mediators included changes in observer-rated social skill and child-reported loneliness after 12 weeks of Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children. Age and depressive symptoms were examined as potential moderators.ResultsLoneliness scores and social effectiveness during a role-play task predicted changes in social anxiety and overall functioning at posttreatment. Changes in social anxiety were mediated by child-reported loneliness. Outcomes were not moderated by age or depressive symptoms.ConclusionsFindings support the role of loneliness as an important mechanism of change during treatment for childhood social phobia.     

Familial predictors of treatment outcome in childhood anxiety disorders

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether family factors are predictive of outcome in children with anxiety disorders who are receiving cognitive-behavioral treatment. METHOD: Participants were 61 children aged 8 to 12 years (mean = 10.0, SD = 1.4) with Axis I anxiety disorders who had been referred to a large Toronto children's hospital. Parents and children completed measures assessing family functioning, parenting stress, parental frustration, and parental psychopathology before and after treatment. Outcome measures included clinician-rated functioning (Children's Global Assessment Scale) and self- and parent-rated anxiety (Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale). RESULTS: Child ratings of family dysfunction and frustration predicted clinician-rated improvement (total R2 = 0.28, p < .001). Mother and father reports of family dysfunction, and maternal parenting stress, predicted mother-rated child improvement (total R2 = 0.18, p < .01). Father-rated somatization and child reports of family dysfunction and frustration predicted child-rated improvement (total R2 = 0.25, p < .001). Several family factors improved with treatment. CONCLUSION: Family dysfunction appears to be related to less favorable treatment outcome in children with anxiety disorders.     

Family relational factors in pediatric depression and asthma: pathways of effect

OBJECTIVE: This study tested a multilevel biobehavioral family model proposing that negative family emotional climate contributes to child depressive symptoms, which in turn contribute to asthma disease severity. Parent-child relational insecurity is proposed as a mediator. METHOD: Children with asthma (N = 112; ages 7-18; 55% male) reported relational security, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Parent(s) reported demographics, asthma history and symptoms, and family emotional expression. Asthma diagnosis was confirmed by medical history provided by parent and child together, clinical evaluation, pulmonary function tests, and methacholine challenge, with disease severity categorized by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines. Medication adherence was measured prospectively. RESULTS: Path analysis indicated a good fit of data to the hypothesized model (chi2 = 0.072, p =.97, normal fit index = 0.998, root mean square error of approximation = 0.000). Negative family emotional climate predicted child depressive symptoms (beta =.21, p < .04), which predicted asthma disease severity (beta =.35, p < .001), with relational insecurity a partial mediator (beta = -.23, p < .05, beta =.46, p < .001, respectively). Depression was associated with disease severity even after controlling for adherence (r p = 0.38, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Findings are consistent with the proposed family model, suggesting the clinical importance of assessing and intervening in these specific family relational processes when treating children with depression and asthma.     

Impact of comorbid anxiety disorders on outcome in a cohort of patients with bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND: High rates of comorbid anxiety disorders have been described in individuals with bipolar disorder. Although it is well recognized that anxiety disorders often co-occur with bipolar disorder, few studies have examined the impact of more than 1 anxiety disorder on long-term outcome in patients with bipolar disorder. METHOD: The rates of DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder were determined using structured clinical interviews in 138 patients with bipolar disorder who presented consecutively between 1994 and 1999. Patients were then followed for up to 3 years with longitudinal clinical surveillance. The impact of 1 or more comorbid anxiety disorders on mood symptoms and general function was evaluated. RESULTS: In our sample, 55.8% of the patients had at least 1 comorbid anxiety disorder, and 31.8% had 2 or more anxiety disorder diagnoses. The most common anxiety disorder was generalized anxiety disorder, followed by panic disorder. The presence of an anxiety disorder led to significantly (p <.05) worse outcome on global as well as specific illness measures, including illness severity, proportion of patients characterized as euthymic, and proportion of the year spent ill. Number of anxiety disorders was less important than type, with generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia having the most negative impact on outcome. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that multiple anxiety disorder comorbidities were not infrequent in bipolar disorder and that generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia were more likely to be associated with poor outcome. We discuss some potential mechanisms and implications in our findings.     

Moderators and mediators of long-term adherence to stimulant treatment in children with ADHD

OBJECTIVE: To identify moderators and mediators of long-term adherence to stimulant medication in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Seventy-one children with ADHD were prescribed methylphenidate, followed prospectively on an annual basis for 3 years, and evaluated for adherence to stimulant treatment. The study occurred in Toronto between 1993 and 1997. Adherents were those who took methylphenidate, or another psychostimulant, for 5 or more days per week throughout the follow-up period, except for "drug holidays." Children who adhered at consecutive evaluations were compared with those who did not. Severity of ADHD, presence of oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder, learning difficulties, anxiety, age, family dysfunction, and socioeconomic adversity at baseline were investigated as moderators of adherence. Response to treatment at school, measured at 12 months, was investigated as a mediator of adherence. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of children adhered to stimulant treatment for 3 years. Absence of teacher-rated oppositional defiant disorder, more teacher-rated ADHD symptoms, and younger age at baseline predicted adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to stimulant medications is a significant factor in the long-term treatment of children with ADHD.     

Fluvoxamine treatment of social phobia (social anxiety disorder): a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of fluvoxamine for the treatment of social phobia (social anxiety disorder). METHOD: In a 12-week multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 92 patients with social phobia were treated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine; 91.3% of the patients had the generalized subtype of the disorder. The primary criterion for response was a rating of "much improved" or "very much improved" on the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale. Secondary response criteria were changes on three specialized rating scales for social phobia symptoms: the Brief Social Phobia Scale, the Social Phobia Inventory, and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Psychosocial impairment was assessed in three domains (disruption of work, social life, and home/family life) by using the Sheehan Disability Scale. RESULTS: The mean daily dose of fluvoxamine was 202 mg (SD = 86). At study end or with the last observation carried forward, within the evaluable subjects (N = 86) there was a significantly higher proportion of responders in the fluvoxamine group (42.9%, N = 18) than in the placebo group (22.7%, N = 10). Similarly, fluvoxamine was superior to placebo on all social phobia rating scales at week 8 and beyond. Fluvoxamine also resulted in significantly greater decreases in measures of psychosocial disability than did placebo. Overall, fluvoxamine was well tolerated and safe. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that fluvoxamine is efficacious in the pharmacologic management of serious forms of social phobia.     

Clinical and genetic outcome determinants of internet- and group-based cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder

Hedman E, Andersson E, Ljótsson B, Andersson G, Andersson E, Schalling M, Lindefors N, Rück C. Clinical and genetic outcome determinants of Internet‐ and group‐based cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Objective: No study has investigated clinical or genetic predictors and moderators of Internet‐based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) compared with cognitive behavioral group therapy for (CBGT) for SAD. Identification of predictors and moderators is essential to the clinician in deciding which treatment to recommend for whom. We aimed to identify clinical and genetic (5‐HTTLPR, COMTval158met, and BDNFval66met) predictors and moderators of ICBT and CBGT. Method: We performed three types of analyses on data from a sample comprising participants (N = 126) who had undergone ICBT or CBGT in a randomized controlled trial. Outcomes were i) end state symptom severity, ii) SAD diagnosis, and iii) clinically significant improvement. Results: The most stable predictors of better treatment response were working full time, having children, less depressive symptoms, higher expectancy of treatment effectiveness, and adhering to treatment. None of the tested gene polymorphisms were associated with treatment outcome. Comorbid general anxiety and depression were moderators meaning that lower levels were associated with a better treatment response in ICBT but not in CBGT. Conclusion: We conclude that demographic factors, symptom burden, adherence, and expectations may play an important role as predictors of treatment outcome. The investigated gene polymorphisms do not appear to make a difference.     

Peer-to-peer psychoeducation in schizophrenia: a new approach

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of the first peer-to-peer psychoeducation program in schizophrenia. METHOD: We developed a 5-step curriculum for structured training of peer moderators. In step 1, peer moderators participate in regular psychoeducation, and in step 2, they participate in workshops on knowledge about schizophrenia and moderation techniques. In step 3, peer moderators conduct peer-to-peer groups in the presence of a mental health professional, and in step 4, they conduct the groups independently with regular supervision. Further peer moderators are recruited in step 5. Psychoeducation by trained peer moderators comprises 8 60-minute group sessions (warm-up, symptoms, diagnosis, causes, medication, psychosocial therapy, warning signs, coping with schizophrenia) with 6 to 10 patients per group. The feasibility of the 5-step curriculum was evaluated by conducting a pilot study of 7 peer groups with 2 peer moderators. Evaluation of peer-moderated groups was done from January 2003 to July 2004 using inpatients of a university hospital who had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to ICD-10. The primary outcomes of interest were change in knowledge and concept of illness from baseline to endpoint. RESULTS: Two peer moderators conducted psychoeducational groups with a total of 49 patients in the presence of a physician (step 3). On the whole, conduction of peer-moderated groups worked well. Knowledge of illness increased significantly (N = 44, p < .001), and concept of illness changed significantly in 3 subscales: trust in physician (N = 40, p = .002) and trust in medication (N = 40, p = .001) increased, and negative treatment expectations decreased (N = 40, p = .001). Subjective assessments of peer moderators by participating patients were positive. CONCLUSION: First results suggest that peer-to-peer psychoeducation in schizophrenia according to the 5-step curriculum is feasible and may be comparable to professional psychoeducation in regard to short-term outcomes.     

Unemployment and emergency room visits predict poor treatment outcome in primary care panic disorder

BACKGROUND: To complement existing data on predictors of treatment response in groups of "pure" panic disorder patients studied in clinical trials or in poorly controlled naturalistic follow-up, we sought to elucidate predictors of treatment response over 1 year in a diagnostically heterogeneous and comorbidly ill group of primary care patients with panic disorder participating in a randomized effectiveness study. METHOD: Patients with DSM-IV panic disorder (N = 115), mostly without agoraphobia, were recruited from 3 primary care clinics in Seattle, Wash., and randomly assigned to an on-site collaborative care intervention (N = 57), in which psychiatrists provided education, 2 visits, follow-up phone calls, and paroxetine, or to usual care by their primary care physician (N = 58). Predictors of response at 3-month intervals over 1 year were determined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients with consistent response over the year (response at the majority of available timepoints) were significantly (p <.05) more likely to be white, employed, in higher income strata, and in the intervention group and had less medical comorbidity and phobia severity, fewer recent hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and higher reported Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form physical and role functioning. The final regression model indicated that responders were more likely to be in the intervention group, be employed, and lack a recent emergency room visit. CONCLUSION: While some of the univariate findings partially replicate previous results linking greater illness severity with poorer response, univariate findings linking medical comorbidity and low socioeconomic status with poor response, as well as multivariate findings that unemployment and recent emergency room use are the most potent predictors of poor response, have not been previously reported.     

Risk indicators of anxiety throughout adolescence: the TRAILS study

Background: The aim was to identify risk indicators from preadolescence (age period 10–12) that significantly predict unfavorable deviations from normal anxiety development throughout adolescence (age period 10–17 years). Methods: Anxiety symptoms were assessed in a community sample of 2,220 boys and girls at three time‐points across a 5‐year interval. Risk indicators were measured at baseline and include indicators from the child, family, and peer domain. Associations with anxiety were measured with multilevel growth curve analyses. Results: A stable difference in anxiety over adolescence was found between high and low levels of a range of child factors (frustration, effortful control), family factors (emotional warmth received from parents, lifetime parental internalizing problems), and peer factor (victims of bullying) (P<.001). In contrast, the difference in anxiety between high and low levels of factors, such as self‐competence, unfavorable parenting styles, and bully victims, decreased over adolescence (P<.001). For other family factors, associations were weaker (.05Conclusions: Several child, family, and peer factors measured in preadolescence were risk indicators of high levels of anxiety symptoms throughout adolescence. Some factors (such as rejective parenting) were vulnerability indicators for anxiety in early adolescence only, whereas other factors (such as peer victimization) were indicators of long‐term elevated anxiety levels. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Does a coexisting anxiety disorder predict persistence of depressive illness in primary care patients with major depression?

We assessed whether a coexisting anxiety disorder predicts risk for persistent depression in primary care patients with major depression at baseline. Patients with major depression were identified in a 12-month prospective cohort study at a University-based family practice clinic. Presence of an anxiety disorder and other potential prognostic factors were measured at baseline. Persistent depressive illness (major depression, minor depression, or dysthymia) was determined at 12 months. Of 85 patients with major depression at baseline, 43 had coexisting anxiety disorder (38 with social phobia). The risk for persistent depression at 12 months was 44% greater [Risk Ratio (RR) = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.04] in those with coexisting anxiety. This risk persisted in stratified analysis controlling for other prognostic factors. Patients with coexisting anxiety had greater mean depressive severity [repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), p < 0.04] and total disability days (54.9 vs 19.8, p < 0.02) over the 12-month study. Patients with social phobia had similar increased risk for persistent depression (RR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.98-2.00). A coexisting anxiety disorder indicates risk for persistent depression in primary care patients with major depression. Social phobia may be important to recognize in these patients. Identifying anxiety disorders can help primary care clinicians target patients needing more aggressive treatment for depression.     

Sexual function and behavior in social phobia

BACKGROUND: Social phobia is a type of performance and interpersonal anxiety disorder and as such may be associated with sexual dysfunction and avoidance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate sexual function and behavior in patients with social phobia compared with mentally healthy subjects. METHOD: Eighty subjects participated in the study: 40 consecutive, drug-free outpatients with social phobia (DSM-IV) attending an anxiety disorders clinic between November 1997 and April 1999 and 40 mentally normal controls. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale were used to quantitatively and qualitatively assess sexual function and behavior. RESULTS: Men with social phobia reported mainly moderate impairment in arousal, orgasm, sexual enjoyment, and subjective satisfaction domains. Women with social phobia reported severe impairment in desire, arousal, sexual activity, and subjective satisfaction. In addition, compared with controls, men with social phobia reported significantly more frequent paid sex (p < .05), and women with social phobia reported a significant paucity of sexual partners (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients with social phobia exhibit a wide range of sexual dysfunctions. Men have mainly performance problems, and women have a more pervasive disorder. Patients of both genders show difficulties in sexual interaction. It is important that clinicians be aware of this aspect of social phobia and initiate open discussions of sexual problems with patients.     

Treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders: an open-label extension of the research units on pediatric psychopharmacology anxiety study

BACKGROUND: An 8-week placebo-controlled study, the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Anxiety Study, documented beneficial effects of fluvoxamine in the treatment of pediatric social anxiety, separation anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorders. Following completion of this study, participants were invited to enter a 6-month open-label treatment phase designed to examine three issues: (a) long-term maintenance of response in fluvoxamine responders, (b) acute response to fluoxetine in fluvoxamine nonresponders, and (c) acute response to fluvoxamine in placebo nonresponders. METHODS: Participants aged 6-17 years meeting criteria for social anxiety, separation anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorders previously treated in an 8-week placebo-controlled trial (n = 128) were offered open treatment. Changes in symptoms of anxiety during open treatment were assessed in three groups: (a) fluvoxamine responders maintained on fluvoxamine, (b) fluvoxamine nonresponders changed to fluoxetine, and (c) placebo nonresponders changed to fluvoxamine. Response was defined based on Clinical Global Impression criteria. RESULTS: During 6 months of continued open treatment, anxiety symptoms remained low in 33 of 35 (94%) subjects who initially responded to fluvoxamine. Among 14 fluvoxamine nonresponders switched to fluoxetine, anxiety symptoms appeared significantly improved in 10 (71%) subjects. Finally, among 48 placebo nonresponders, 27 (56%) showed clinically significant improvement in anxiety on fluvoxamine. CONCLUSION: The current findings concerning extended treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders are only preliminary, because treatment was uncontrolled. Results suggest that an initial fluvoxamine response is likely to be retained with continued treatment, that some fluvoxamine nonresponders may respond to fluoxetine, and that some placebo nonresponders may respond to fluvoxamine.     

An Open Effectiveness Trial of a Multimodal Inpatient Treatment for Depression and Anxiety Among Adults With Serious Mental Illness

Objective: This prospective open effectiveness trial examined symptom change trajectories and rates of remission from depression and anxiety in an intensive multimodal inpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness (SMI). Patient baseline characteristics were examined as mediators/moderators of treatment response. Methods: Adult inpatients with SMI (N = 994) completed an average of 39 days of inpatient treatment. Latent growth curve (LGC) methods were used to model symptom trajectories, estimating expected remission based on individual patterns of change observed across the sample. Results: Absolute reductions in symptoms were substantial, with large effect size improvements for both depression (d = 1.21, 95% CI [1.13, 1.29]) and anxiety (d = 1.13, 95% CI [1.05, 1.21]). For those presenting with elevated depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression ≥ 5.0; 87.5% of the sample), 46.9% evidenced remission from admission to discharge. Among patients presenting with significant anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire–Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener ≥ 5.0; 84.5% of the sample), 50.0% evidenced remission from admission to discharge. Mediation analyses revealed that depression and anxiety severity decreased more rapidly with increasing age and initial levels of experiential avoidance. Conclusions: Rates of remission of depression and anxiety were greater than anticipated in this large cohort of adult SMI inpatients and may be related to intensity and length of hospitalization.     

Simple phobia as a comorbid anxiety disorder

This study sought to describe clinical and demographic characteristics differentiating patients with DSM-III-R simple phobias comorbid with one or more of five DSM-III-R index anxiety disorders as compared with those with the index diagnoses alone. From 711 subjects participating in a multicenter, longitudinal, naturalistic study of anxiety disorders, 115 subjects with comorbid simple phobias were compared with 596 subjects without simple phobias in terms of demographic data, comorbidity with other disorders, somatic and psychosocial treatment received, and quality of life. In addition, episode characteristics, types of simple phobias found, and course of illness were specified. Subjects with simple phobias had more additional comorbid anxiety disorders by history than did those without. Mean length of intake episode was 22.43 years and severity was typically moderate. Fears of heights and animals were the most commonly represented simple phobias. Subjects with uncomplicated panic disorder were less likely to have comorbid simple phobias than were subjects with other index diagnoses, and subjects with simple phobia were more likely to have comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder than were those without simple phobia. Subjects with and without simple phobias did not differ by somatic or psychosocial treatment received or in terms of quality of life. Simple phobia appeared in this study to be a chronic illness of moderate severity for which behavioral treatment methods of recognized efficacy were not being frequently utilized. Uncomplicated panic disorder may reflect some type of resistance to phobia development. Depression and Anxiety 7:105–112, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Anxiety and depressive disorders in fathers and mothers of anxious school-refusing children.

OBJECTIVE: To examine anxiety and depressive disorders in the mothers and fathers of children with anxious school refusal and to test for the existence of differences in familial aggregation between children suffering from school refusal related to separation anxiety disorder and those suffering from phobic disorder-based school refusal. METHOD: Using a blind standardized diagnostic evaluation (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime version, modified for the study of anxiety disorders; Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies; and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children), the authors compared parental lifetime psychiatric illness for the 2 groups of anxious school refusers. RESULTS: Relationships between specific anxiety disorders in children and their parents revealed increased prevalence of simple phobia and simple and/or social phobia among the fathers and mothers of phobic school refusers, and increased prevalence of panic disorder and panic disorder and/or agoraphobia among the fathers and mothers of school refusers with separation anxiety disorder. Simple and/or social phobia in the father, simple phobia in the mother, and age of the father were associated with the group of phobic school refusers. CONCLUSIONS: The data show the high prevalence of both anxiety and depressive disorders in fathers and mothers of anxious school refusers. Significant differences were observed in familial aggregation considering the subgroups of anxious school-refusing children.