ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate temperament and character correlates of panic disorder (PD) comorbidity in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) or unipolar depression (UD). METHODS: Temperament and character were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory Revised (TCI-R) in 181 patients (70 patients with BD-I, 51 patients with BD-II and 60 with UD) in a euthymic state for at least 2 months. RESULTS: PD was diagnosed in 14.3% of BD-I patients, 31.4% of BD-II and 40% of UD. BD patients with PD, when compared with BD patients without PD, had higher scores on harm avoidance (OR=1.04; 95% CI=1.02-1.07; p=0.002). Patients with UD and PD, when compared to patients with UD without PD, had higher scores on social acceptance (OR=1.27; 95% CI=1.08-1.49; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Different temperament and character dimensions correlated with PD comorbidity in BD and UD patients, suggesting different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
