Prevalence and associated factors of panic disorder among medical students in Abha University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, 2020

Objective: To assess the prevalence of panic disorder and identify factors associated with their occurrence among medical students, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional including 400 participants, conducted in Abha city by distributing a validated self-constricted questionnaire among medical students, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia during 2020-2021. The questionnaire consisted of three parts (Demographic data, Panic disorders severity scale (PDSS), and Patient Health Questionnaire –Panic Disorder  (PHQ-PD). Results: Out of 400 medical students, 196 (50.5%) were male and 192 (495%) were female , with mean age score 22.5±2.1. The rate of cases were as following; 114 (29.4%) had anxiety, 190 (49.0%) had 4 or more symptoms, and 104 (26.8%) had panic disorder. The mean score of PDSS was indicating the need for a formal diagnostic assessment. Those in 2nd and 6th year, and those who rent their house had significant higher score of PDSS than others (p<0.0001, and p0.001) respectively. Also, younger age, and those who had low monthly income had significant higher rate of panic disorder attack than others (p<0.0001and p<0.0001) respectively.