Defining the Optimal Threshold Score for Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum - Short Version (PAS-SV) Questionnaire in Clinical and General Population

Background The Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum - Short Version (PAS-SV) Questionnaire evaluates a wide range of symptoms belonging to panic disorder and agoraphobia (PAD), including both full-threshold and sub-threshold symptoms. While the PAS-SV has proven useful for quantifying panic-agoraphobic symptoms, it currently lacks a validated diagnostic threshold. Aim This study aimed to determine the optimal cut-off score on the PAS-SV for identifying the presence of clinically significant PAD. Methods The study included 54 patients diagnosed with Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia (PAD) and 54 healthy controls (HC). Trained psychiatrists conducted clinical diagnoses based on DSM-5 criteria and subsequently assessed participants using the PAS-SV. Results The PAD group exhibited significantly higher PAS-SV scores compared to the healthy control group. The most effective cut-off score for distinguishing subjects with PAD was determined to be 16, demonstrating satisfactory levels of specificity and sensitivity. Conclusion Our findings suggest that a cut-off score of 16 on the PAS-SV is the most discriminative in identifying individuals with Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia.