Childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: focus on personality disorders and psychopathology.
BACKGROUND
Personality Disorders (PDs) and childhood traumatic experiences have been considered risk factors for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). However, the relationship between these factors and their associated psychopathological impact has not been explored in this population. This study was designed to evaluate the association between different childhood traumas and the presence and number of PDs and current psychopathology in a sample of CFS patients.


METHODS
For this purpose, 166 CFS patients were evaluated with the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+) and the Child Trauma Questionnaire. Other instruments were used to assess the associated psychopathology and the impact of fatigue.


RESULTS
Of the total sample, 55 (33.1%) presented childhood trauma, the most frequent of which were emotional neglect (21.7%) and emotional abuse (18.1%). Considering PD presence, 79 (47.6%) patients presented some PD. There were no differences in frequency of physical childhood trauma in patients with and without PD. However, patients with PD had more frequently experienced emotional childhood trauma (OR=2.18, p=0.034). Severity of childhood trauma was related to a higher number of PDs, more severe depressive symptoms (p=0.025) and suicide risk (p=0.001). Patients with PD and any childhood trauma presented more severe depressive and irritable symptoms and a higher suicide risk than those without any PD and non-childhood traumatic event. These patients' psychopathological symptoms were similar to those of patients with childhood trauma and without PD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that emotional childhood trauma but not physical childhood trauma is related to higher frequency of PD presence. More severe childhood emotional and physical traumas are related to a higher number of PDs and to more severe psychopathological symptoms.
Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Sant Rafael, FIDMAG, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, CIBERSAM, Department of Psychiatry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d´Hebron 107-117, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: nasaez2@gmail.com.
Naia
N
Sáez-Francàs
Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, CIBERSAM, Department of Psychiatry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d´Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: nacalvo@vhebron.net.
Natalia
N
Calvo
Servei de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebron, Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d´Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jalegre@vhebron.net.
José
J
Alegre
Servei de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebron, Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d´Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jesus.castro@vhir.org.
Jesús
J
Castro-Marrero
Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Sant Rafael, FIDMAG, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, CIBERSAM, Department of Psychiatry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d´Hebron 107-117, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: nramirez@hsrafael.es.
Nicolás
N
Ramírez
Servei de Neurologia, Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebron, Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d´Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: hernandezvarajorge76@gmail.com.
Jorge
J
Hernández-Vara
Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, CIBERSAM, Department of Psychiatry, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d´Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: mcasas@vhebron.net.
Miguel
M
Casas
D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires