Assesment of Temperament and Character Profile of Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Objective: Acne vulgaris is a common disease in the community and it has negative social and psychological effects due to its location especially on the face. Results of the studies investigating the personality structure of patients with skin diseases are conflicting. To resolve this contradiction, Cloninger’s psychobiological model of personality, which sets a relation with the biological structure and examines the personality in many dimensions, may be considered. The purpose of this study was to measure the temperament and character profiles of patients with acne.Methods: 30 patients who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris by dermatological examination and a control group consisted of 30 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were studied. According to lesion severity, the patients with acne vulgaris were divided into two groups: Group 1 - acne vulgaris with comedones, Group 2 - acne vulgaris with papules and pustules and nodules. The Temperament and Character Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale were administered to both patients and control group.Results: Temperament and character propertyies of patients with mild to moderate acne did not change (p>0.05); however, anxiety and depression scores were found to be increased. There has been no difference found in the temperament and character inventory (TCI) and subscales between the two groups (p>0.05). In the correlation analysis, the sub-scales NS3 (extravagance) of novelty seeking (NS), HA4 (fatigability) of harm avoidance and the sub-scale C3 (helpfulness) of cooperativeness were found positively correlated with acne period (p=0.001).Conclusion: We suggest that if predisposition to anxiety and depression are known the effectiveness of treatment in individuals with acne vulgaris may be enhanced. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2012; 49: 255-259)