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Biomedical subjects

R Balon

Publications and source records attributed to R Balon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Smoking in patients with panic disorder.

We compared smoking prevalence in 217 patients with panic disorder with that in 217 age- and sex-matched control subjects who were obtained by telephone survey from the same neighborhoods. Data were obtained for current smoking habits and smoking status at either the onset of illness (patients) or 10 years previously (control subjects). Patients had been ill for 10.6 (SD = 10.0) years. Female patients with panic disorder had a significantly higher smoking prevalence at the onset of their illness than did control subjects 10 years previously (54% vs. 35%). The current smoking prevalence for female patients was also significantly higher than that of control subjects (40% vs. 25%). Male smoking rates did not differ between patients and control subjects. Caffeine use did not appear to explain these findings. These data suggest a link between smoking behavior and panic disorder in women.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of yohimbine on heart rate variability in panic disorder patients and normal controls: a study of power spectral analysis of heart rate.

We studied the effects of yohimbine on heart rate (HR) variability in 13 normal controls and 13 patients with panic disorder. Yohimbine produced a significant increase in SD of HR in standing posture in both patients (p = 0.01) and normal controls (p = 0.025). Panic disorder patients had a significant increase in standing absolute midfrequency (MF) power (0.07-0.15 Hz) after administration of yohimbine (p = 0.002). The ratio of post- to preyohimbine standing MF power (0.07-0.15 Hz) during standing was significantly higher in patients as compared with controls (2.3 +/- 1.08 vs. 1.33 +/- 0.38; p = 0.01), which suggests an increased responsivity of panic disorder patients to the adrenergic effects of yohimbine.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Leftward shift of R-axis on electrocardiogram in patients with panic disorder and depression.

In a prospective study, we have compared R-axis on routine electrocardiograms of panic disorder patients (n = 52) with that of depressed patients (n = 41) and normal controls (n = 65). All subjects were physically healthy and were normotensive. There was a significant leftward shift of R-axis in both depressed and panic disorder patients compared to normal controls. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effect of imipramine treatment on heart rate variability measures.

Recently, heart rate (HR) variability has received considerable attention, and a decreased HR variability has been linked to a significant risk of cardiovascular illness. We have previously reported such a decreased variability in panic disorder patients. In this study, we report on HR variability in 12 depressed and 6 panic disorder patients at baseline and 1 and 3 weeks of treatment with imipramine as measured by the standard deviation, mean consecutive difference and the standard deviation of the mean consecutive difference of the R-R intervals in supine, supine deep breathing and standing postures. In all subjects, imipramine (mean dose: 70 mg/day) produced a significant decrease in heart rate variability at week 3 as measured by the above variables. This decrease in HR variability during imipramine treatment is probably due to its anticholinergic effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of clonidine on heart rate variability.

We compared the effects of intravenous infusions of clonidine and placebo on heart rate variability in 10 healthy male controls. Clonidine produced a significant decrease in blood pressure and significantly decreased the heart rate variability during quiet standing.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Heart rate variability in patients with major depression.

We have previously reported decreased heart rate variability upon standing in panic disorder patients compared with controls. In this study, we extend our report to include patients with major depression (n = 19). Compared to normal controls (n = 20) and panic disorder patients (n = 30), there was no significant difference in the immediate changes in heart rate upon standing in the depressed group. The standing heart rate variability (R-R variability) was significantly lower in panic disorder patients compared to both normal controls and depressed patients as indicated by the corrected standard deviations, the corrected mean consecutive difference, the corrected standard deviation of the mean consecutive difference of the R-R intervals, and the high frequency variability in successive R-R intervals, suggesting an increased vagal withdrawal in panic disorder patients, especially upon standing. There was no significant difference in any of the heart rate variability measures between depressed patients and normal controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The changes of thyroid hormone during pharmacological treatment of panic disorder patients.

1. Because imipramine has lowered T4 in uncontrolled studies we examined the effect of imipramine on serum thyroid levels in panic disorder patients in a double-blind placebo and diazepam treatment controlled study. 2. Treatment with imipramine (10 subjects) was associated with a significant decrease of T4 and FTI and treatment with diazepam (8 subject) was associated with a significant decrease of T4. However, there was no significant difference across treatment groups. 3. This finding suggests that previously reported decreases in thyroid hormones during antidepressant therapy may be due to nonspecific effects of treatment rather than to the drug itself.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A comparative study of immune status in panic disorder patients and controls.

Alterations of immunocompetence in various mental disorders have been reported. We studied white blood cell counts and immunoglobulin levels in 59 panic disorder patients and 30 controls. The significantly increased IgA levels and tendency toward increase in other immunoglobulins in panic disorder patients suggest an immune dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effects of isoproterenol in panic disorder patients after antidepressant treatment.

Fourteen panic disorder patients were infused with isoproterenol both before and after treatment with tricyclic antidepressants. Thirteen patients had panic attacks before treatment, and only 2 after treatment. There was a significant decrease in anxiety as measured by a Panic Description Scale during posttreatment infusions, and patients were able to tolerate longer infusions posttreatment. Isoproterenol increased systolic blood pressure and decreased diastolic blood pressure in both untreated patients and in 10 normal controls. Tricyclic antidepressant treatment of panic disorder patients abolished isoproterenol-induced increases in systolic blood pressure, but did not affect diastolic blood pressure response. These changes are consistent with a decrease in sensitivity to beta-1 receptor stimulation after treatment with tricyclic antidepressants.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of imipramine treatment on changes in heart rate and blood pressure during postural and isometric handgrip tests.

Postural and isometric handgrip tests were performed on nine patients with panic disorder and 13 patients with major depression before and after treatment with imipramine for a mean duration of 10 weeks. There were significant increases in resting supine heart rate (HR), systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures (SBP, DBP, MBP) after treatment. There were significant increases in HR and DBP after standing from supine posture before treatment, and after treatment, there was a significant enhancement of this tachycardia. The decrease of heart rate during the change from standing to supine posture before treatment significantly decreased further after imipramine treatment. Decreases in SBP and DBP during the change from standing to supine posture were significantly smaller during the post treatment condition. Increases in SBP during the standing isometric exercise test were smaller after treatment. These findings suggest abnormal orthostatic reflexes secondary to an altered adrenergic function and/or cholinergic supersensitivity after treatment with imipramine.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

Somatic and psychological symptoms during isoproterenol-induced panic attacks.

To determine which symptoms characterized isoproterenol-induced panic attacks, we analyzed the presence of panic attacks in 54 panic disorder patients who panicked, 24 patients who did not panic, and 37 controls who did not panic during isoproterenol infusions. The increases over the baseline of the symptoms shortness of breath and fear of going crazy were highly associated with panicking patients when compared to nonpanicking patients and nonpanicking controls. The increases of the symptoms trembling and shaking, generally nervous, and fear of going crazy were highly associated with patients when compared to controls. The possibility of a cognitive theory of panic attacks is discussed.

Adolescent↗