The anxiolytic effects of alprazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine, were evaluated in a double-blind 28-day comparison with diazepam and placebo in 46 out-patients suffering from anxiety states of moderate to severe intensity. Alprazolam 1.5-3 mg per day was found to be of at least equivalent anxiolytic effect to 15-30 mg diazepam per day, and there was evidence of antidepressant activity by alprazolam, but not diazepam, in neurotic depression. Side-effects occurred least often with alprazolam and were minor in nature. Laboratory data showed no changes attributable to alprazolam even in a patient who swallowed 15 capsules (7.5 mg). It was concluded that alprazolam is a safe and effective anxiolytic which is well-tolerated and also shows some antidepressant activity.

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BACKGROUNDChronic pulmonary diseases are a global health problem and the number of patients being treated in primary care settings is increasing. The prevalence of a life-time diagnosis of asthma has increased in all age groups. There has been a dramatic shift in the conceptualization and treatment of asthma and COPD in the last 50 years. Psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety disorders, are very common in patients with asthma and COPD. Anxiety is also common in COPD and is related to some of the same factors described for asthma including the psychological response to the experience of breathlessness as well as side effects of beta-agonists. Since there is paucity of relevant data from Kashmir, this study was designed to find the co morbidity in patients of COPD and Asthma in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir.