Audiovestibular functioning in patients with panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate audiovestibular function in patients with panic disorder and healthy subjects by using vestibular and audiologic tests.

METHODS: Thirty-four panic disorder patients and 20 healthy control subjects were assessed by using clinical otoneurological examination, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and electronystagmography (ENG). All patients were evaluated with the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

RESULTS: On vestibular testing, abnormal responses were more prevalent in panic disorder patients compared to healthy controls. The presence of agoraphobia in panic disorder patients did not make a significant difference on vestibular test results. The only variable that may be a predictor of vestibular abnormalities in panic disorder patients was found to be dizziness between attacks.

CONCLUSION: The results show that dizziness between panic attacks may warrant audiovestibular testing among other medical investigations.