Personality predicts time to remission and clinical status in hypochondriasis during a 6-year follow-up.

Abstract

We aimed to investigate whether personality characteristics predict time to remission and psychiatric status. The follow-up was at most 6 years and was performed within the scope of a randomized controlled trial that investigated the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy, paroxetine, and placebo in hypochondriasis. The Life Chart Interview was administered to investigate for each year if remission had occurred. Personality was assessed at pretest by the Abbreviated Dutch Temperament and Character Inventory. Cox's regression models for recurrent events were compared with logistic regression models. Sixteen (36.4%) of 44 patients achieved remission during the follow-up period. Cox's regression yielded approximately the same results as the logistic regression. Being less harm avoidant and more cooperative were associated with a shorter time to remission and a remitted state after the follow-up period. Personality variables seem to be relevant for describing patients with a more chronic course of hypochondriacal complaints.

• Authors: Anja Greeven, Anton J L M van Balkom, Philip Spinhoven
• Journal: The Journal of nervous and mental disease (J Nerv Ment Dis) Vol. 202 Issue 5 Pg. 402-7 (May 2014) ISSN: 1539-736X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24727716 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hypochondriasis (psychology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Outcome Assessment
• Personality (physiology)
• Personality Inventory
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Recurrence
• Regression Analysis
• Remission Induction
• Severity of Illness Index
• Temperament (physiology)
• Time Factors