Clinical profile and changes in values of mean platelet volume among panic disorder patients

Abstract

Context: The serotonin system is involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders, but it is not practical to measure the serotonin levels inside the brain. Peripheral serotonin activity may reflect the central serotonergic function. An affordable and easy measure of peripheral serotonergic function is the mean platelet volume (MPV). Hence, MPV could possibly be used as a measure of central serotonergic function and hence could be a predictor of treatment outcome and response in panic disorder. Aims: This study aims to study the changes in MPV in patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia compared to healthy controls, thereby elucidating the relationship between panic disorder and MPV. Subjects and Methods: Patients (n = 65) who fulfilled the selection criteria and healthy controls (n = 65) were taken up for the study. Sociodemographic details and clinical variables were recorded in a special pro forma prepared for the study. Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview-Plus was used for screening psychiatric morbidity. The diagnosis of panic disorder was made using the International Classification of Diseases-10 diagnostic criteria. Panic disorder severity scale and panic and agoraphobia scale were administered to all patients. MPV was assessed, and variations in MPV were studied between the groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Two-tailed independent sample t-test was used to compare the cases and controls. Results: It was observed that MPV values were higher for patients with panic disorder than healthy controls. Conclusion: MPV values were higher in panic disorder patients when compared to the healthy controls, so they could serve as predictors/indicators of treatment outcome and response in panic disorder.

Keywords

• anxiety disorders
• mean platelet volume
• panic disorder