title: Personality disorders and physical comorbidities in adults from the United States: data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a paucity of research examining the relationship between personality disorders (PDs) and chronic physical comorbidities. Consequently, we investigated associations between individual PDs and PD Clusters, and various common disease groups [cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, arthritis and gastrointestinal disease (GI)] in a nationally representative survey of adults from the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study utilized pooled data (n = 34,653; ≥20 years) from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. PDs were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Physical conditions were based on self-reports of being diagnosed by a health professional. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions examined the relationship between PDs and physical conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment (sociodemographic factors, past-year mood, anxiety and substance use disorders), Clusters A, B and C PDs were each associated with physical conditions (all p ≤ 0.01). Of the individual PDs, schizoid, schizotypal, narcissistic, borderline and obsessive-compulsive PDs were associated with CVD (all p ≤ 0.01) among younger adults. Paranoid, antisocial, borderline and avoidant PDs and younger adults with schizoid, schizotypal and obsessive-compulsive PDs were each associated with arthritis (all p ≤ 0.01). Significant associations were seen between paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal PDs and diabetes (all p ≤ 0.01). Finally, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline and narcissistic PDs were associated with GI conditions (all p ≤ 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDs were consistently associated with physical conditions. Investigation of PDs and their relationship with physical health outcomes warrant further research attention as these findings have important clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, C/-Barwon Health, Ryrie Street, PO 281, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia, shae.quirk@barwonhealth.org.au.
authors.forename: Shae E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Quirk
authors.forename: Renée
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Gabalawy
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sareen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chanen
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pasco
authors.forename: Lana J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000438:Alcohols; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D057566:Self Report; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols