Background: Personality traits as alexithymia and type D personality may impair health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim of this study was to evaluate personality traits in patients with IBS and IBD and their impact on HRQoL.
Materials and methods: The subjects (40 patients with IBS, 40 with IBD and 40 health control subjects) completed SF-36 questionnaire, TAS-20 and DS14 scale.
Results: Patients with IBS and IBD had higher results on TAS-20 and DS14 scale when compared with healthy controls. Also IBS patients had higher scores than IBD patients. Higher scores on TAS-20 and DS14 scales in IBS and IBD patients correlate with lower HRQoL. HRQoL was poorer in IBS and IBD patients than in healthy control subjects.
Conclusions: Alexithymia and type D personality in IBS and IBD patients are associated with lower HRQoL and psychological interventions should be considered.