The Correlations of Baseline Autonomic Nervous System Function and Hostility Score with Change Ratio of Treatment Response in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

The relationship between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) index, hostility scale and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in the long-term treatment outcome has been rarely studied. The aim of this study was to explore whether the ANS index and hostility scale at baseline are predictors of long-term outcome in GAD. Nine patients with GAD were recruited. At baseline (week 0), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and mean heart rate range (MHRR) were measured as ANS index; the Cook–Medley Hostility Scale was assessed as hostility. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) was administered at baseline, short-term (week 6) and long-term (week 52). The aggressive response subscale of the hostility scale was significantly negatively correlated with the HAM-A change ratio in short-term and long-term, while MHRR were significantly positively correlated with these change ratios. The MHRR and the aggressive response subscale at baseline could be predictors of long-term outcome in GAD.

Keywords

• Autonomic nervous system function
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Hostility
• Predictors
• Treatment response