Personality Profiles in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis
Robabeh Soleimani*, Mir Mohammad Jalali** , Arezu Bour***
* Kavosh Cognitive Behavioral Sciences and Addiction Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical
Sciences, Rasht, Iran
** Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
*** School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Abstract
Background:
Psychological factors can be associated with allergic disorders. However, no
particular personality pattern associated with these disorders has yet been identified.
Objectives:
This study aimed at comparing the personality profiles of patients with perennial
allergic rhinitis and normal controls.
Materials & Methods:
This cross-sectional study was done on 50 adult people with persistent
allergic rhinitis for at least one year and 50 age- and sex-matched normal controls that completed
the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). A multivariate covariance analysis
(MANCOVA) was carried out to discover possible personality differences between the two groups.
The data were analyzed by SPSS v. 19 software.
Results:
The results of the MMPI showed no significant difference between the two groups in
the validity scales (P=0.29). The most common modal validity presentation style in both groups
was neutral self-presentation. The MANCOVA analysis showed significantly high scores on the
hypochondriasis (F=18.13, P<0.005, partial η2=0.16) and hysteria scales in allergic rhinitis subjects
(F=8.68, P=0.04, partial η2=0.08) compared with normal controls. The most common profiles with
high scores in the allergic rhinitis subjects were schizophrenia (52%, P<0.01) and hypochondriasis
(50%, P<0.01). These scales emphasized the feelings of isolation and discomfort in allergic people.
The frequency of psychasthenia scale, which measures long lasting anxiety, was significantly
different between the two groups (40% in allergic rhinitis subjects vs. 10% in normal controls, odds
ratio=6 [95%CI 1.9-22.3], P<0.001).
Conclusion:
The score of psychological health is lower among allergic people than in normal controls.
Schizophrenia and hypochondriasis are the most common profiles in the allergic rhinitis subjects.
Keywords: Rhinitis, Allergic, MMPI, Mental Health
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