Panic Attacks in Postmenopausal Women

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Panic attacks may be common in postmenopausal women, and those attacks may be linked to stressful life events, medical illnesses, and functional impairment, according to a new study.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston studied more than 3,300 postmenopausal women to determine the prevalence of panic attacks. Women between ages 50 and 79 years old were questioned about the number of panic attacks and migraines they suffered between 1997 and 2000.

In this study, a full-blown panic attack was defined as an attack of sudden fear, anxiety, or extreme discomfort during the past six months, which was accompanied by four or more panic symptoms. A limited-symptom attack was similar to a full-blown attack, except patients suffered fewer than four panic symptoms.

Results of the study show nearly 18 percent of the women surveyed suffered a form of a panic attack. Nearly 10 percent suffered a full-blown attack, and nearly 9 percent suffered a limited-symptom attack. Researchers also found full-blown panic attacks were more common in women with a history of migraines, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, chest pain and symptoms of depression. In addition, full-blown panic attacks were linked to stressful life events. Researchers say there was no association between panic attacks and hormone therapy.

Authors of the study conclude, “Panic attacks were associated with younger age, lower income, recent negative life events, a history of medical comorbidity, and depression, as well as self-reported limitations in social functioning.”

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SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2003;163:2041-2050