Hypochondriasis and Personality Traits of Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Background: Plaque psoriasis has been associated with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and various personality traits. However, studies on hypochondriasis, i.e. the belief of serious illness despite having no or only mild symptoms, are currently scarce. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess hypochondriasis and personality traits in psoriasis patients using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Methods: We conducted an observational study on patients with plaque psoriasis who underwent MMPI-2 testing. Demographic and clinical data, including comorbidities, alcohol consumption, and smoking, were collected. Results: A total of 136 consecutive psoriatic patients were included. The mean age (+/- SD) was 53.7 (+/- 13.5), mean PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) was 12.4 (+/- 9.9), and mean disease duration was 23.3 (+/- 15.7) years. Pathologically elevated scores in the Hypochondriasis scale were observed in 27.9% of patients. Furthermore, in a few other MMPI-2 scales (Anxiety, Fears and Negative Treatment Indicators) >= 25% of patients obtained pathologically elevated scores. Conversely, the scales that had the highest proportion of low scorers were Ego Strength and Dominance. At regression analysis, higher psoriasis severity and female gender were associated with higher scores in the Hypochondriasis scale (p = 0.03 and 0.001). Finally, 72.8% reported any alcohol consumption and 8.1% heavy alcohol consumption. Conclusion: About one third of patients with psoriasis have high scores in the MMPI-2 hypochondriasis evaluation scale. Poor individual coping resources also appeared to be distinctive psychological features in a significant proportion of psoriatic patients.