Smoking Increases Panic Attack Risk
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Studies in the past suggested an association between smoking and mental disorders. Now, new research finds a unique connection between smoking and the risk of a panic attack.
For the research, authors used data from the Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology Study. The study included adolescents and young adults in Munich, Germany. Researchers assessed number of cigarettes smoked, nicotine dependence, panic attacks, panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, and other mental disorders. Study participants were followed for four years.
At the start of the study researchers note a clear association between panic attacks and disorders and regular smoking and nicotine dependence. After analyzing the data, researchers say they also found an increased risk for the onset of a panic attack in those who smoked regularly and were nicotine dependent. Prior nicotine dependence also increased a person's risk for the onset of a panic disorder, whereas those who had panic problems did not show a tendency to turn to smoking.
Researchers say this study shows a rather unique and specific relationship between smoking and the increased risk for a panic attack or panic disorder. They say their results suggest smoking and nicotine dependence increase the risk for panic attacks and disorder but not for most other anxiety disorders. Furthermore, prior smoking increases the risk for a panic problem, but there is no higher incidence of smoking among cases with an anxiety disorder.
SOURCE: Archives of General Psychiatry, 2003;60:692-700
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.