The prevalence of panic disorder and its related factor in hospitalized patients with chest pain and normal angiography

Chest pain is one of the common causes for referrals to cardiologists, 50% of which have no‑cardiac origin. The occurrence of chest pains is among the most important factors responsible for psychological disorders. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of panic disorder and its related factor in hospitalized patients with chest pain and normal angiography.

In a cross‑sectional study, 144 patients who referred to Emam Ali Cardiac Hospital of Kermanshah because of chest pain in 2013 and had a normal angiography during admission were selected using census sampling method. The statistical indicators of Chi‑square and logistic regression were applied.

From 144 patients with atypical chest pain, 95 were male (66%) and 49 were female (34%). Overall, 41 patients met the criteria for panic diagnosis and thus, the prevalence of panic attacks among patients with atypical chest pain was calculated as 28.5%. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female gender, early age, and the being single were among the predictive factors for the existence of panic disorder in patients with atypical chest pain and normal angiography (P < 0.001).

Given the high prevalence of panic disorder in patients hospitalized for chest pain with normal angiography, it is recommended to consider the importance of paying attention to this disorder and identifying patients and referring them to professional psychiatrists.