Anxiety Disorders: Roy-Byrne PP

Roy-Byrne PP, Davidson KW, Kessler RC, Asmundson GJ, Goodwin RD, Kubzansky L, Lydiard RB, Massie MJ, Katon W, Laden SK, Stein MB. · University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. · Gen Hosp Psychiatry. · Pubmed #18433653 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the role of anxiety disorders in medical illness. METHOD: The Anxiety Disorders Association of America held a multidisciplinary conference from which conference leaders and speakers reviewed presentations and discussions, considered literature on prevalence, comorbidity, etiology and treatment, and made recommendations for research. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asthma, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and chronic pain were reviewed. RESULTS: A substantial literature supports clinically important associations between psychiatric illness and chronic medical conditions. Most research focuses on depression, finding that depression can adversely affect self-care and increase the risk of incident medical illness, complications and mortality. Anxiety disorders are less well studied, but robust epidemiological and clinical evidence shows that anxiety disorders play an equally important role. Biological theories of the interactions between anxiety and IBS, CVD and chronic pain are presented. Available data suggest that anxiety disorders in medically ill patients should not be ignored and could be considered conjointly with depression when developing strategies for screening and intervention, particularly in primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Emerging data offer a strong argument for the role of anxiety in medical illness and suggest that anxiety disorders rival depression in terms of risk, comorbidity and outcome. Research programs designed to advance our understanding of the impact of anxiety disorders on medical illness are needed to develop evidence-based approaches to improving patient care.

Roy-Byrne PP, Craske MG, Stein MB. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA. · Lancet. · Pubmed #16980119 No free full text.

Abstract: Panic disorder is a common mental disorder that affects up to 5% of the population at some point in life. It is often disabling, especially when complicated by agoraphobia, and is associated with substantial functional morbidity and reduced quality of life. The disorder is also costly for individuals and society, as shown by increased use of health care, absenteeism, and reduced workplace productivity. Some physical illnesses (eg, asthma) commonly occur with panic disorder, and certain lifestyle factors (eg, smoking) increase the risk for the disorder, but causal pathways are still unclear. Genetic and early experiential susceptibility factors also exist, but their exact nature and pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown. Despite an imprecise, although increased, understanding of cause, strong evidence supports the use of several effective treatments (eg, pharmacological, cognitive-behavioural). The adaptation and dissemination of these treatments to the frontlines of medical-care delivery should be urgent goals for the public-health community.

Schraufnagel TJ, Wagner AW, Miranda J, Roy-Byrne PP. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, 98104, USA. · Gen Hosp Psychiatry. · Pubmed #16377362 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of knowledge regarding treating ethnic/racial minority patients with mood and anxiety disorders, emphasizing data-based studies whenever possible. METHOD: This article reviews the evidence on poorer access and quality of care for minorities, the biological and cultural differences between minority and majority populations that may impact care and outcomes, and recent studies that address minority treatment response and outcomes both alone and in comparison to majority groups. RESULTS: Numerous impediments to appropriately treating anxious and depressed minority patients remain. Underutilization and poor quality of mental health care in minorities is due to less-than-favorable illness and treatment beliefs that affect adherence and outcome, stigma, clinician failure to engage the patient, poor patient activation and biological differences that may impact pharmacotherapy choice. However, though limited in number, some studies do indicate that when appropriate treatment is well-delivered to minorities, results are comparable to those seen among Caucasian patients. CONCLUSIONS: The clinician treating members of minority groups must consider differential personal elements, from the biological to the cultural, to achieve treatment success. The limited available data do suggest that minority patients can be successfully treated with available interventions. Of primary importance is for researchers to increase the number of carefully designed intervention studies that allow for ethnic/racial minority-specific analyses.

Roy-Byrne PP, Wagner AW, Schraufnagel TJ. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, USA. · J Clin Psychiatry. · Pubmed #15842183 No free full text.

Abstract: According to studies, the median prevalence of panic disorder in the primary care setting is 4%. Rates are higher among certain patient populations, such as those with cardiac (20% to 50%) or gastrointestinal presentations (28% to 40%). Consequently, patients with panic disorder are high utilizers of medical services and are heavily represented among patients classified as high health care utilizers, compared with other psychiatric or non-psychiatric groups. Despite its frequency in the primary care setting, panic disorder is significantly under-recognized by medical providers. Corresponding with inadequate recognition is the substantial proportion of these patients who fail to receive appropriate treatment (pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy). Most experts have concluded that panic disorder is poorly managed in the primary care setting because of the process of care and patient engagement. In terms of process of care, primary care practice still operates on an acute disease model (leaving no time for initial patient education or follow-up), which is a poor fit for the management of chronic diseases. Insufficient patient engagement in treatment (i.e., being involved in the treatment process, "buying into" rationale for treatment, and being willing to collaborate with clinician and adhere to recommendations) is the second important contributor to inadequate treatment. Use of a chronic disease self-management approach would enhance treatment of panic disorder. This model requires that patients, in collaboration with the health care provider/system, take day-to-day responsibility for managing their illness by doing 3 things: adhering to recommended medical management, adopting improved health habits/coping skills, and assisting in ongoing monitoring of illness status/change. Future approaches to treating panic disorder in primary care would be enhanced by including assessments of patient beliefs and preferences, spending more time in preparing the patient for treatment, utilizing a simple pharmacotherapy algorithm, utilizing simple rating scales to monitor outcomes, and training providers in brief CBT interventions.

Roy-Byrne PP. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. · J Clin Psychiatry. · Pubmed #15762815 No free full text.

Abstract: Benzodiazepines bind to a specific site on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-benzodiazepine receptor complex. This complex has been implicated in the pathophysiology of anxiety by numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies. Preclinical studies have shown that there are multiple molecular forms of this receptor complex, that these genetically coded variations are linked to specific actions of the benzodiazepines, and that receptors are located in neuroanatomical areas known to mediate the anxiety response in animals and humans. Human studies have shown that patients with pathologic anxiety have anomalous responses to drugs that specifically bind to these receptors and have reduced numbers of benzodiazepine receptors in key brain areas that regulate anxiety responses. More recent preclinical studies suggest that molecular alterations in this receptor complex may produce findings in animals similar to those observed in anxious humans. Finally, chronic treatment with benzodiazepines causes the development of tolerance, which may be associated with molecular changes and a pharmacologic response profile similar to that observed in pathologically anxious humans.

Roy-Byrne PP, Wagner A. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. · J Clin Psychiatry. · Pubmed #15384933 No free full text.

Abstract: Recently, there has been increased interest in the impact and treatment of anxiety disorders. However, one type of anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), has received less attention than other disorders, such as panic disorder, despite the prevalence and amenability of this disorder to treatment in the primary care setting. Rates of GAD have been found to be between 2.8% and 8.5%, with a median prevalence of 5.8%-at least twice the rate reported in the National Comorbidity Survey. Up to one third of patients presenting to primary care clinics with somatic complaints had a mood or anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is linked to the overuse of medical services: emergency department visits, hospitalizations, diagnostic and laboratory tests, pharmacy costs, and so on. Recognition of anxiety and depression in primary care is poor, with only 23% of pure anxiety cases being recognized compared with 56% of depression cases. The various stakeholders (patients, family members, employers, and insurers) in a patient's outcome often complicate treatment of anxiety. Barriers to effective treatment include time constraints, acute disease orientation of most care systems, lack of planned follow-up and monitoring, and relative unavailability of specialist access. The collaborative care approach is designed to overcome these barriers. With this approach, the patient is provided with additional educational materials, physicians are supported by physician extenders (nurses, social workers, or expert consultants) who provide case-based feedback, follow-up, extra visits, and telephone calls to patients. Providing efficacious treatment to primary care for GAD will require improving knowledge of providers and increasing patient engagement.

Stewart SA, Rosenbaum JF, Pollack MH, Roy-Byrne PP, O'Brien CP, Otto MW. · No affiliation provided · J Clin Psychiatry. · Pubmed #15762819 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Roy-Byrne PP, Craske MG, Stein MB, Sullivan G, Bystritsky A, Katon W, Golinelli D, Sherbourne CD. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, USA. · Arch Gen Psychiatry. · Pubmed #15753242 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Panic disorder is a prevalent, often disabling condition among patients in the primary care setting. Although numerous studies have assessed the effectiveness of treatments for depression in primary care, few such studies have been conducted for panic disorder. OBJECTIVE: To implement and test the effectiveness of a combined pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral intervention for panic disorder tailored to the primary care setting. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled study comparing intervention to treatment as usual. SETTING: Six primary care clinics associated with 3 university medical schools, serving an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse patient population. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred thirty-two primary care patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder. Comorbid mental and physical disorders were permitted, provided these did not contraindicate the treatment to be provided and were not acutely life threatening. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to receive either treatment as usual or an intervention consisting of a combination of up to 6 sessions (across 12 weeks) of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) modified for the primary care setting, with up to 6 follow-up telephone contacts during the next 9 months, and algorithm-based pharmacotherapy provided by the primary care physician with guidance from a psychiatrist. Behavioral health specialists, the majority inexperienced in CBT for panic disorder, were trained to deliver the CBT and coordinated overall care, including pharmacotherapy. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Proportion of subjects remitted (no panic attacks in the past month, minimal anticipatory anxiety, and agoraphobia subscale score <10 on Fear Questionnaire) and responding (Anxiety Sensitivity Index score <20) and change over time in World Health Organization Disability Scale and short form 12 scores. RESULTS: The combined cognitive-behavioral and pharmacotherapeutic intervention resulted in sustained and gradually increasing improvement relative to treatment as usual, with significantly higher rates at all points of both the proportion of subjects remitted (3 months, 20% vs 12%; 12 months, 29% vs 16%) and responding (3 months, 46% vs 27%; 12 months, 63% vs 38%) and significantly greater improvements in World Health Organization Disability Scale (all points) and short form 12 mental health functioning (3 and 6 months) scores. These effects were obtained in spite of similar rates of delivery of guideline-concordant pharmacotherapy to the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Delivery of evidence-based CBT and medication using the collaborative care model and a CBT-naive, midlevel behavioral health specialist is feasible and significantly more effective than usual care for primary care panic disorder.

Roy-Byrne PP, Russo J, Cowley DS, Katon WJ. · Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. · J Clin Psychiatry. · Pubmed #12716237 No free full text.

Abstract: 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.

Roy-Byrne PP, Russo J, Cowley DS, Katon WJ. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104-2499, USA. · Depress Anxiety. · Pubmed #12621592 No free full text.

Abstract: The prevalence of anxiety disorders is increased among low-income individuals, who are more likely to seek mental health care in medical as opposed to specialty settings because of limited insurance access and restricted availability of public sector mental health resources. However, little is known about the clinical characteristics and illness severity of anxiety disorders in this setting. We studied the clinical characteristics of low-income compared with middle-income primary care panic patients. Clinical, functional, and service use measures obtained at baseline interview in 39 panic disorder patients seen in one public sector medical clinic were compared with 76 patients seen in two middle-income clinics. All patients were participants in a randomized effectiveness pharmacotherapy trial [Roy Byrne et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58:869-876]. Public sector patients were more often older, male, single, unemployed, of lower income, and non-Caucasian ethnicity. They had more severe clinical symptoms, more medical comorbidity, worse physical and role health status, and more emergency room visits. Low income and unemployment accounted for most of the differences in non-anxiety-related measures. However, type of clinic still contributed independently to the greater severity of specific measures of panic/anxiety (Panic Disorder Severity Scale and Marks Fear Scale scores), suggesting that the increased stress and limited social resources associated with low-income and disadvantaged status may have more specific effects on anxiety than other aspects of psychopathology.

Hazlett-Stevens H, Craske MG, Roy-Byrne PP, Sherbourne CD, Stein MB, Bystritsky A. · University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. · Gen Hosp Psychiatry. · Pubmed #12220797 No free full text.

Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to identify demographic and clinical patient characteristics related to willingness to consider panic disorder treatments in the primary care setting. Given the prevalence of anxiety disorders and the increased provision of mental health treatments in general medical settings, patients were selected from primary care settings. An unselected sample of 4,198 patients completed a brief questionnaire containing questions about demographic characteristics, physical health status, and symptoms of panic disorder, social phobia and PTSD. The 1,043 patients indicating a recent panic attack episode answered additional questions about their willingness to consider both medication and psychosocial forms of intervention for panic. Of these panic patients, 64% reported willingness to consider medication and 67% reported willingness to consider a psychosocial intervention for their panic. Logistic regression analyses for these panic patients revealed that willingness to consider medication treatment for panic was associated with older age, lower education, poorer health status and the presence of social phobia and/or PTSD symptoms. In addition, Asian and African American patients were less likely than Caucasian patients to indicate willingness to consider medication treatment for their panic. However, only the presence of comorbid social phobia and PTSD symptoms predicted willingness to consider a psychosocial intervention. Results suggest that acceptability of psychosocial treatment is unrelated to demographic and physical health factors, while primary care patients with certain demographic characteristics, good physical health, or who suffer from fewer comorbid mental health conditions may need additional encouragement to begin medication treatment for panic.

Roy-Byrne PP, Katon W, Cowley DS, Russo J. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Ave, Box 359911, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. · Arch Gen Psychiatry. · Pubmed #11545671 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Effectiveness studies have tested interventions to improve quality of care for depression in primary care, but none, to our knowledge, have been completed for panic disorder (PD) in this setting. This study sought to test the clinical effectiveness of PD pharmacotherapy embedded in a disease management framework of "collaborative care" (CC). METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients with PD from 3 primary care clinics were randomized to CC or "usual care" (UC). Patients in CC (n = 57) received educational videotapes and pamphlets; pharmacotherapy with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine; 2 psychiatrist visits and 2 telephone calls in the first 8 weeks; and up to 5 telephone calls between 3 and 12 months' follow-up. Usual care patients (n = 58) were treated by their primary care physician. Telephone assessments of panic, anxiety sensitivity, depression, and disability variables were performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months' follow-up. Adequacy of pharmacotherapy was assessed with an algorithm based on a review of efficacy studies. RESULTS: Patients in CC were more likely to receive adequate (type, dose, duration) medication and more likely to adhere to this medication at 3 and 6 months. Random regression analyses showed that CC patients improved significantly more over time compared with UC patients on anxiety, depression, and disability measures, with the greatest effects at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with UC, CC interventions significantly improved both quality of care and clinical and functional outcomes in primary care PD patients. Clinical differences were greatest in the first 6 months, corresponding to the greater quality of care and the greater intensity of intervention.

Roy-Byrne PP, Katon W, Cowley DS, Russo JE, Cohen E, Michelson E, Parrot T. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA. · Gen Hosp Psychiatry. · Pubmed #11072056 No free full text.

Abstract: Studies suggest that the recognition of depression by primary care physicians (PCPs) is most likely in more symptomatic and impaired patients. As part of a randomized effectiveness study in primary care patients with panic disorder, we examined the baseline characteristics of study patients who were recruited by waiting room screen procedure (n=69) versus patients who were referred to the study by their PCP (n=41). Patients referred by their physicians had a significantly higher frequency of panic attacks, more intense attacks, and more anticipatory anxiety on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale, while screen-identified patients were more medically ill and had worse physical functioning on the SP36. There were no differences in anxiety sensitivity, phobic avoidance, depression, other SF36 measures, disability, or medical service utilization. In conclusion, differences in referred versus screened patients are mostly specific for panic attack-related symptoms, consistent with the notion that patients with more prominent physical symptoms (i.e., panic attacks) are more often recognized and referred in busy clinical settings. The better medical status and physical functioning of referred patients may indicate greater physician recognition of panic in patients who appear less medically ill. However, the many clinical and functional similarities between these two patient samples suggests that symptomatic primary care patients with panic may not always be identified by their PCPs and argues for the value of population-based screening for panic in primary care.

Stein MB, Roy-Byrne PP, McQuaid JR, Laffaye C, Russo J, McCahill ME, Katon W, Craske M, Bystritsky A, Sherbourne CD. · Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0985, USA. · Psychosom Med. · Pubmed #10367617 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of a brief screening tool for panic disorder in the primary care setting. METHODS: A total of 1476 primary care outpatients in three primary care medical clinics on the West Coast of the United States were studied. Patients completed a brief self-report measure, the five-item Autonomic Nervous System Questionnaire (ANS), while in the waiting room. The presence of DSM-IV panic disorder was subsequently determined in groups of "screen-positive" and "screen-negative" subjects using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. A subset of patients (N = 511) also completed the 21-item Beck Anxiety Inventory. Indices of diagnostic utility were calculated using receiving operating characteristic analyses to guide the selection of optimal cutoff levels. RESULTS: The two-question version of the ANS had excellent sensitivity (range = 0.94-1.00 across the three clinic sites) and negative predictive value (0.94-1.00) but low specificity (0.25-0.59) and positive predictive value (range 0.18-0.40). The three- and five-question versions of the ANS had only modestly improved specificity, and this was achieved at the cost of reduced sensitivity and increased respondent burden to complete the questionnaire. The 21-item Beck Anxiety Inventory had maximal clinical utility at a cutoff level of > or =20, but sensitivity was lower than desirable for a screening instrument (0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The two-question version of the ANS shows promise as a screening instrument for panic disorder in the primary care setting.

Craske MG, Rose RD, Lang A, Welch SS, Campbell-Sills L, Sullivan G, Sherbourne C, Bystritsky A, Stein MB, Roy-Byrne PP. · Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA. · Depress Anxiety. · Pubmed #19212970 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This article describes a computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program designed to support the delivery of evidenced-based CBT for the four most commonly occurring anxiety disorders (panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder) in primary-care settings. The purpose of the current report is to (1) present the structure and format of the computer-assisted CBT program, and (2) to present evidence for acceptance of the program by clinicians and the effectiveness of the program for patients. METHODS: Thirteen clinicians using the computer-assisted CBT program with patients in our ongoing Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management study provided Likert-scale ratings and open-ended responses about the program. Rating scale data from 261 patients who completed at least one CBT session were also collected. RESULTS: Overall, the program was highly rated and modally described as very helpful. Results indicate that the patients fully participated (i.e., attendance and homework compliance), understood the program material, and acquired CBT skills. In addition, significant and substantial improvements occurred to the same degree in randomly audited subsets of each of the four primary anxiety disorders (N=74), in terms of self ratings of anxiety, depression, and expectations for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted CBT programs provide a practice-based system for disseminating evidence-based mental health treatment in primary-care settings while maintaining treatment fidelity, even in the hands of novice clinicians.

Means-Christensen AJ, Roy-Byrne PP, Sherbourne CD, Craske MG, Stein MB. · Department of Psychology, Radford University, Radford, Virginia, USA. · Depress Anxiety. · Pubmed #17932958 No free full text.

Abstract: Pain, anxiety, and depression are commonly seen in primary care patients and there is considerable evidence that these experiences are related. This study examined associations between symptoms of pain and symptoms and diagnoses of anxiety and depression in primary care patients. Results indicate that primary care patients who endorse symptoms of muscle pain, headache, or stomach pain are approximately 2.5-10 times more likely to screen positively for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or major depressive disorder. Endorsement of pain symptoms was also significantly associated with confirmed diagnoses of several of the anxiety disorders and/or major depression, with odds ratios ranging from approximately 3 to 9 for the diagnoses. Patients with an anxiety or depressive disorder also reported greater interference from pain. Similarly, patients endorsing pain symptoms reported lower mental health functioning and higher scores on severity measures of depression, social anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Mediation analyses indicated that depression mediated some, but not all of the relationships between anxiety and pain. Overall, these results reveal an association between reports of pain symptoms and not only depression, but also anxiety. An awareness of these relationships may be particularly important in primary care settings where a patient who presents with reports of pain may have an undiagnosed anxiety or depressive disorder.

Sullivan G, Craske MG, Sherbourne C, Edlund MJ, Rose RD, Golinelli D, Chavira DA, Bystritsky A, Stein MB, Roy-Byrne PP. · South Central VA Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR 72214-1706, USA. · Gen Hosp Psychiatry. · Pubmed #17888803 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Despite a marked increase in the number of persons seeking help for anxiety disorders, the care provided may not be evidence based, especially when delivered by nonspecialists. Since anxiety disorders are most often treated in primary care, quality improvement interventions, such as the Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) intervention, are needed in primary care. RESEARCH DESIGN: This study is a randomized controlled trial of a collaborative care effectiveness intervention for anxiety disorders. SUBJECTS: Approximately 1040 adult primary care patients with at least one of four anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder or social anxiety disorder) will be recruited from four national sites. INTERVENTION: Anxiety clinical specialists (ACSs) deliver education and behavioral activation to intervention patients and monitor their symptoms. Intervention patients choose cognitive-behavioral therapy, antianxiety medications or both in "stepped-care" treatment, which varies according to clinical needs. Control patients receive usual care from their primary care clinician. The innovations of CALM include the following: flexibility to treat any one of the four anxiety disorders, co-occurring depression, alcohol abuse or both; use of on-site clinicians to conduct initial assessments; and computer-assisted psychotherapy delivery. EVALUATION: Anxiety symptoms, functioning, satisfaction with care and health care utilization are assessed at 6-month intervals for 18 months. CONCLUSION: CALM was designed for clinical effectiveness and easy dissemination in a variety of primary care settings.

Pollack MH, Otto MW, Roy-Byrne PP, Coplan JD, Rothbaum BO, Simon NM, Gorman JM. · Harvard Medical School and Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Related Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. · Depress Anxiety. · Pubmed #17437259 No free full text.

Abstract: The Anxiety Disorders Association of America convened a conference of experts to address treatment-resistant anxiety disorders and review promising novel approaches to the treatment of refractory anxiety disorders. Workgroup leaders and other participants reviewed the literature and considered the presentations and discussions from the conference. Authors placed the emerging literature on new therapeutic approaches into clinical perspective and identified unmet needs and priority areas for future research. There is a relative paucity of efforts addressing inadequate response to anxiety disorder treatment. Systematic efforts to exhaust all therapeutic options and overcome barriers to effective treatment delivery are needed before patients can be considered treatment refractory. Cognitive behavioral therapy, especially in combination with pharmacotherapy, must be tailored to accommodate the effects of clinical context on treatment response. The literature on pharmacologic treatment of refractory anxiety disorders is small but growing and includes studies of augmentation strategies and non-traditional anxiolytics. Research efforts to discover new pharmacologic targets are focusing on neuronal systems that mediate responses to stress and fear. A number of clinical and basic science studies were proposed that would advance the research agenda and improve treatment of patients with anxiety disorders. Significant advances have been made in the development of psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic treatments for anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, many patients remain symptomatic and functionally impaired. Progress in the development of new treatments has great promise, but will only succeed through a concerted research effort that systematically evaluates potential areas of importance and properly uses scarce resources.

Mukherjee S, Sullivan G, Perry D, Verdugo B, Means-Christensen A, Schraufnagel T, Sherbourne CD, Stein MB, Craske MG, Roy-Byrne PP. · South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. · Psychiatr Serv. · Pubmed #17158489 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the feelings of disadvantaged patients about and experiences of treatment for anxiety disorders in primary care settings. METHODS: The patients had participated in the Collaborative Care for Anxiety and Panic study, which tested the effectiveness of an intervention to help primary care providers treat panic disorder. The treatment comprised cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with pharmacotherapy administered by primary care physicians with the expert advice of a psychiatrist. Post hoc semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 intervention participants who were classified according to adherence or nonadherence to treatment. The interview focused on reactions to CBT; reactions to the different features of the intervention, such as therapy sessions, demonstration videotapes, exercises, and a workbook; and comfort with the therapist. Two members of the research team independently coded, analyzed, and interpreted the data. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: information was empowering and reduced the sense of isolation experienced by participants, participants engaged in a dynamic and iterative personalized assessment of the intervention, and barriers to adherence were predominantly logistical. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the extent to which patients chose to remain in treatment and follow treatment recommendations was rarely an all-or-nothing phenomenon. In a disadvantaged population such decisions seem to be influenced by the beliefs of the patient about what will and will not be effective in his or her individual case, an ongoing self-assessment of well-being, and the logistical barriers that come into play.

Zatzick D, Roy-Byrne PP. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA. · Psychiatr Serv. · Pubmed #17158486 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Approximately 37 million acute care injury visits are made in the United States each year, and 2.5 million individuals are so severely injured that they require inpatient hospitalization. Few investigations have used pharmacoepidemiologic methods to determine which medications with strong theoretical support for secondary prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are already in widespread use in acute care settings. METHODS: The investigators conducted a population-based assessment of medication administration for randomly selected adolescents (N=113) and adults (N=152) hospitalized at a level 1 trauma center after physical injury. Medication prescription at the time of surgical inpatient discharge was assessed by review of automated medical records. RESULTS: Opiate analgesic medications were prescribed to between 82 and 88 percent of injury survivors; 34 to 46 percent of patients also received nonopiate analgesic prescriptions. Between 11 and 16 percent of patients were prescribed antihistamines. Benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, beta-adrenergic blockers, and all other psychotropic medications were prescribed to less than 10 percent of adolescent and adult patients. CONCLUSIONS: Theoretical rationales exist for the testing of multiple compounds in the prevention of PTSD; pharmacoepidemiologic data inform which of these medications are already in widespread use and therefore may be most appropriate for testing in randomized trials. Efficacy trials and basic research could focus on the development of compounds that target both pain and anxiety for testing in the secondary prevention of PTSD after injury.

Roy-Byrne PP, Noonan C, Afari N, Buchwald D, Goldberg J. · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. <> · Gen Hosp Psychiatry. · Pubmed #16950376 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify genetic, familial and environmental contributions to the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and poor health. METHODS: A community sample of 1852 twin pairs was assessed for symptoms of PTSD [with the Impact of Events Scale (IES)] and self-reported global health status using a single five-level question. An ordinal logistic regression model estimated odds ratio/s (OR) for the association between PTSD and health status. Within-pair analysis assessed confounding by familial and genetic factors and adjusted for the possible confounding influence of age, sex, race, education and self-reported physician diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: The IES was strongly and significantly associated with self-reported health [OR=1.8; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.5-2.2; highest quartile vs. lowest quartile]. This association remained significant in within-pair analysis (OR=1.3; 95% CI=1.0-1.7), but after further adjustment for sociodemographics and depression, it was no longer significant (P(trend)=.17). Separate analysis by zygosity did not show differential effect in monozygotic or dizygotic pairs. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the association between PTSD symptoms and poor health is, in part, due to familial confounding and sociodemographic factors. Little evidence of confounding by genetic factors was found. These findings suggest that early prevention efforts would have the greatest potential for improving poor health in PTSD-prone patients, whereas later intervention efforts directed at treating PTSD may have a more limited impact on improving poor health.

Norman SB, Means-Christensen AJ, Craske MG, Sherbourne CD, Roy-Byrne PP, Stein MB. · Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. · J Trauma Stress. · Pubmed #16929502 No free full text.

Abstract: Psychological trauma is associated with poor physical health. We examined whether specific trauma types (assaultive, sexual, any) are associated with specific medical illnesses and whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) mediated these relationships in 680 primary care patients. For men, trauma history was associated with arthritis and diabetes; PTSD mediated the association between trauma and arthritis but not diabetes. Among women, trauma was associated with digestive diseases and cancer; PTSD did not mediate these relationships. Awareness of the presence of the physical illnesses examined here may help with the identification and treatment of primary care patients with trauma histories.

Means-Christensen AJ, Sherbourne CD, Roy-Byrne PP, Craske MG, Stein MB. · Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0985, USA. · Gen Hosp Psychiatry. · Pubmed #16516060 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Primary care providers are increasingly taking on the role of ad hoc mental health provider. However, before patients in primary care can be treated, they must be identified. This study set out to validate a very brief screening instrument for identifying primary care patients with anxiety and depression. METHOD: Eight hundred one primary care patients completed a questionnaire screening for (1) panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia, or (2) panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression. Screening was followed by a diagnostic interview. The properties of the questionnaires were examined to identify a small set of items that effectively and efficiently screened for panic disorder, PTSD, social phobia, GAD and depression. RESULTS: Five items were selected across the two versions of the questionnaire, comprising the Anxiety and Depression Detector (the ADD). The sensitivities for the items ranged from 0.62 to 1.00, and the specificity values ranged from 0.56 to 0.83. When a "yes" answer to any of the screening questions was used to predict the presence of any diagnosis, sensitivity values were 0.92 to 0.96 and specificity values were 0.57 to 0.82. Sensitivity and specificity values varied little by gender, age or ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: The five items of the ADD appear to comprise a useful screening device for anxiety and depressive disorders in primary care settings.

Means-Christensen AJ, Sherbourne CD, Roy-Byrne PP, Schulman MC, Wu J, Dugdale DC, Lessler D, Stein MB. · Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA. · Depress Anxiety. · Pubmed #16511832 No free full text.

Abstract: The diagnosis of mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, as proposed in DSM-IV, is intended to be useful in settings such as primary care, where low-level anxiety and depressive symptoms may cause clinically significant impairment but are undiagnosable using current criteria. Evidence of the prevalence of this diagnosis is, however, lacking, particularly since the publication of the proposed diagnostic criteria in DSM-IV. Our study examined symptoms of anxiety and depression in 65 primary care patients screened for anxiety and depression while visiting their doctor. Results indicated that of the 37 patients without a diagnosable anxiety or depressive disorder, none had symptoms of depression and anxiety accompanied by interference that the patient deemed significant and attributable to his or her symptoms. These data dispute the need for a mixed anxiety-depression category (beyond mood and anxiety syndromes currently in DSM-IV) in future editions of the DSM.

Pollack MH, Roy-Byrne PP, Van Ameringen M, Snyder H, Brown C, Ondrasik J, Rickels K. · Anxiety Disorders Program, Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital, Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. · J Clin Psychiatry. · Pubmed #16420077 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of tiagabine, a selective gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) reuptake inhibitor, in adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). METHOD: This 8-week, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled study enrolled patients with GAD (DSM-IV). Tiagabine was initiated at 4 mg/day and then flexibly dosed twice a day to a maximum dose of 16 mg/day. Study drug was tapered after week 8 in decrements of 2 mg every other day. Efficacy assessments included the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and Sheehan Disability Scale. Adverse events, sexual functioning, and change in depressive symptoms were monitored. Data were collected from May 2003 to January 2004. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients (tiagabine, N = 134; placebo, N = 132) were included in safety analyses; 260 patients (tiagabine N = 130; placebo N = 130) were included in efficacy analyses. Tiagabine reduced symptoms of GAD according to the observed case and mixed models repeated-measures (MMRM) analyses but not the primary last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) analysis. At final visit, the reduction from baseline in mean HAM-A total score was 11.8 for tiagabine, compared with 10.2 for placebo (LOCF analysis, p = .27). In a post hoc MMRM analysis, a significant difference in the mean reduction in HAM-A total score over the efficacy evaluation period was found, favoring tiagabine over placebo (p < .01). Tiagabine had an early onset of effect, as shown by significant reduction from baseline in mean HAM-A total score compared with placebo at week 1 (observed cases, p < .05). Tiagabine was generally well tolerated and not associated with changes in sexual functioning or depressive status. Symptoms of a discontinuation syndrome during taper were not observed. CONCLUSION: The primary LOCF analysis was negative; however, results from the observed case and MMRM analyses suggest that tiagabine may be a useful treatment option for adult patients diagnosed with GAD. These findings warrant further evaluation in randomized clinical studies.