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Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between pain and personality characteristics.
Methods: We asked the outpatients attending all the clinical departments of Mie University Hospital to complete a questionnaire that included a visual analog scale [VAS] for evaluating pain within the last week and the Maudsley Personality Inventory.
Results: Out of a total of 5013 outpatients, 3055 answered the questionnaire [collection rate: 60.9 percent]. Based on the VAS, subjects with a VAS = 0 mm were defined as the no pain group [n = 2,196], those with 0 mm < VAS < 100 mm as the pain group [n = 839] and subjects with a VAS = 100 mm as the worst pain group [n = 20]. Each score of the Maudsley Personality Inventory was compared among the three groups. The E score of the pain group was significantly lower than that of the no pain group [p < 0.01]. The N score of the pain group was significantly higher than that of the no pain group [p < 0.01]. The L score of the worst pain group tended to be higher, but there was no significant difference with that of the other two groups.
Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between pain and personality. The subjects with pain were mostly introverted and neurotic.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all of the patients and medical staff that made this study possible.