The personality trait of neuroticism is strongly associated with long-term morbidity in testicular cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND
Neuroticism is a personality trait expressing nervousness and insecurity. Associations between neuroticism and morbidity in long-term cancer survivors have hardly been explored. The aim of this study was to explore associations between neuroticism and somatic and mental morbidity and lifestyle issues in long-term survivors of testicular cancer (TCSs).


METHODS
All Norwegian TCSs treated between 1980 and 1994 (n = 1 814) were invited to this cross-sectional study. Among them 1 428 (79% response rate) delivered valid data. Neuroticism was self-rated on an abridged version of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Information was collected by mailed questionnaires. The associations of neuroticism and self-reported variables were tested with multivariate logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
Neuroticism was significantly associated with presence of somatic complaints, reduced physical function, neurotoxic side-effects (tinnitus, hearing impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and Raynaud's Phenomenon), self-esteem, concerns about not being able to father children, sexual problems, hazardous alcohol use, daily use of medication, use of sedatives and hypnotics, recent visits to a general practitioner, and seeing a psychologist/ psychiatrist after ended cancer treatment. Poor self-rated health, higher number of negative life events, economical problems and problems getting loans granted showed significant associations with neuroticism.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuroticism in TCSs at long-term follow-up is significantly associated with somatic and mental morbidities, and several aspects of unhealthy lifestyle. High levels of neuroticism should be considered in TCSs expressing multiple complaints and concerns at follow-up consultations. Assessment of neuroticism may be clinically important in order to offer appropriate interventions to prevent and manage morbidity in TCSs.
Department of Clinical Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. ellen.karine.grov@radiumhospitalet.no
Ellen Karine
EK
Grov
Sophie D
SD
Fosså
Roy M
RM
Bremnes
Olav
O
Dahl
Olbjørn
O
Klepp
Erik
E
Wist
Alv A
AA
Dahl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D017741:Survivors; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult