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Cocaine Use and the Occurrence of Panic Attacks in the Community: A Case-Crossover Approach

NCJ Number
209074
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 40 Issue: 3 Dated: 2005 Pages: 285-297
Author(s)
Megan S. O'Brien; Li-Tzy Wu; James C. Anthony
Date Published
2005
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Using the case-crossover method, this study attempted to estimate a suspected causal association between cocaine use and the occurrence of panic attacks.
Abstract
In order to shed light on the potential of cocaine use in triggering panic attacks, this study utilized the epidemiologic case-crossover approach. The use of a case-crossover method holds constant long-standing individual-level vulnerabilities that might predispose the same individual to have a panic attack and also to use cocaine. Using data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), from 1994 through 1997, the study focused on 272 participants in 1994, 256 in 1995, 247 in 1996, and 296 in 1997, all reporting panic within the month of the assessment, thereby forming the case-crossover analyses. Evidence supports the idea that cocaine use is associated with a 3.3-fold excess occurrence of panic attacks. In addition to illustrating the advantages of the epidemiologic case-crossover approach, the study adds new evidence about a previously reported suspected causal association linking cocaine use to occurrence of panic attacks. References

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