Personality characteristics in MS patients: The role of avoidant personality

• Role of various PC on QOL among MS patients was evaluated.
• The most prevalent PC among MS patients is obsessive-compulsive personality.
• Borderline personality in MS patients is associated with lower mental QOL.
• MS patients with histrionic personality report higher mental QOL.
• Avoidant personality is associated with low QOL.

ObjectivesQuality of life (QOL) is markedly affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Particular personality characteristics (PC) of MS patients can affect their QOL. We designed the present study to determine the role of various PCs on QOL in MS patients accounting for other clinical factors.MethodsQOL, PC, physical disability, and mental status were recorded in 83 MS patients referred to two academic hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2011–2012.ResultsThe mean age of enrolled patients was 31.54 ± 7.38 (range: 14–50) years and 74 (89.2%) were female. Mean disease duration was 4.55 ± 4.70 years. Seventy-seven patients (92.8%) had relapsing–remitting disease, five (6%) had primary progressive, and one showed a secondary progressive course. Correlation between total QOL scores in MS patients and disease duration, cognitive impairment, and physical disability was significant (all p < 0.001). Obsessive-compulsive personality was the most frequent PC (43.4%) in our patients. Only avoidant personality had a significant negative correlation with all components of QOL (Beta: 0.33, p < 0.00). In addition, avoidant personality, physical disability, and mental status were found to be three predictors of QOL with all its components.ConclusionAvoidant personality appears to be an important predictor of poor QOL in MS patients. In addition, avoidant coping strategies appear to be associated with adverse response to stressful events in these patients. These findings suggest the need for psychological intervention for improving the coping strategies and QOL in MS patients.