Clinical features and personality traits associated with psychological distress in systemic sclerosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to identify certain clinical parameters and personality characteristics associated with various forms of psychopathology in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.


METHODS
Fifty-six SSc patients participated in the study, and 74 healthy participants served as controls. A wide range of clinical information was collected, and the following self-report instruments were used: General Health Questionnaire, Symptom Distress Checklist-90-R, Defense Style Questionnaire, Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale, and Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire.


RESULTS
The odds of being assessed with a psychiatric diagnosis upon interview were 4.5 times greater among SSc patients compared with controls. Disease duration and lower rates of SOC were found to be associated with elevated symptoms of general psychological distress. Elevated symptoms of depression were strongly associated with esophageal involvement, hostility, and defense style used. Elevated symptoms of anxiety were mainly associated with arthritis-related painful conditions and SOC, while psychotic-like symptoms were only associated with age and a specific personality structure.


CONCLUSIONS
SSc patients experience elevated symptoms of psychological distress. Several clinical parameters are associated with distress, but the role of various personality traits could not be disregarded. Early psychiatric assessment and intervention could prevent psychological distress in SSc patients.
Hyphantis
Thomas N
TN
Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Tsifetaki
Niki
N
Pappa
Christina
C
Voulgari
Paraskevi V
PV
Siafaka
Vasiliki
V
Bai
Marina
M
Alamanos
Yannis
Y
Drosos
Alexandros A
AA
Mavreas
Venetsanos
V
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000523:psychology; D002605:Character; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013223:Statistics as Topic