Behavioural style in Patients with Chronic Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Pilot Study of 29 Patients Evaluated for Liver Transplantation

Abstract

All non-alcoholic liver transplant candidates (n = 29) in a 2-year period were studied with regard to behaviour style by means of clinical and psychometric assessments (Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Health Locus of Control Scale, Neuroticism and Lie subscales of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety Depression Rating Scale, and Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale). A behaviour style characterized by rigidity, introversion, perfectionism, vulnerability, and inhibited aggressivity was identified. A subgroup had a passive, avoidant coping style. These patients had a significantly shorter span from the time of diagnosis to transplant evaluation, suggesting a more aggressive disease. Despite the severity and chronicity of the disorder, the patients reported strikingly normal scores on most psychometric tests. Our observations may suggest a hypothesis linking behaviour style with the pathogenesis and course of non-alcoholic liver disease. The implications of these possible associations and the type-C behavioural style hypothesized in cancer patients are discussed.

Key Words:

• Coping
• Liver
• Personality
• Psychopathology
• Transplantation