Depression comorbidity 24 to 88% in panic disorder
Critical to screen given suicide risk
PHQ-2 sensitivity 83%, specificity 92% for major depression
GAD-7 for generalised anxiety
Sensitivity 60.6 to 89% for GAD, specificity 82 to 87.6%
Score >= 10 suggests moderate to severe anxiety
Useful for ED triage and referral planning
Panic Disorder Severity Scale
Used for monitoring treatment response in established panic disorder
7-item self-report
Tracks frequency, severity, and impairment
Diagnostic Tests
Scoring Systems
Validated decision tools for panic and differential exclusion
Wells PE score
Excludes PE as alternate diagnosis
Score < 2 with D-dimer negative rules out PE in low-risk patients
ACEP Level B recommendation for PE risk stratification
PERC rule (Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria)
8 criteria: age < 50, HR < 100, SpO2 >= 95%, no prior DVT or PE, no recent trauma or surgery, no haemoptysis, no exogenous oestrogen, no unilateral leg swelling
If all 8 met in low pretest probability population, PE excluded without D-dimer
HEART score
Guides ACS risk when chest pain is a presenting feature
Score 0 to 3 low risk; score >= 4 warrants further evaluation
Panic Disorder Severity Scale
7-item clinician-rated scale for diagnosis confirmation and monitoring
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