Psychological aspects of contact granuloma: a group comparison

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the psychological state of patients with contact granuloma. Twenty-eight patients with laryngeal contact granuloma and 36 patients suffering from primary organic laryngeal disorders were tested by different personality and clinical inventories. Several differences between these samples characterized the contact granuloma patient as impulsive, inhibited, weak, anxious, and disturbed by somatic complaints as well as by depression. Nevertheless the group of patients with contact granuloma had no more stressful life events than the group with primary organic laryngeal disorders. Using a group approach and standardized methods of testing we could, for the first time, statistically confirm assumptions about the emotional and psychosomatic state of patients with contact granuloma.

Key Words:

• contact ulcer
• contact granuloma
• laryngeal diseases
• etiology and pathogenesis
• patient profile