Significance of the personality features in the illness adaptation process in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Aim: In the present study we compared psychological, temperamental and physiological features in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients in the active and non-active phase of disease. We also evaluated the association between psychological and clinical adaptation to the disease. The undertaken studies aimed to assess the association between particular personality features and acceptance of the disease. The relationship between psychological and clinical parameters of disease activity was evaluated.
Material and methods: In this study we considered the influence of such parameters as age, social status, style of living (including diet and treatment), financial stability, family status, relationship with the partner, stress at work and environmental factors.
Results: Obtained results did not reveal a direct association between psychological factors and clinical features of disease activity. The level of acceptance did not depend on its phase, but showed a relationship with the duration of disease, presence of complications (extra-intestinal manifestation) and personality features, such as neuroticism, extraversion and amicability.