Association study on personality and plasma cortisol level in the patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Abstract

Objective To study the correlation of personality characteristics and plasma cortisol levels in the patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Methods According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-Ⅳ), 38 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and 39 normal controls were assessed with Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA), generalized anxiety disorder scale(GAD-7), penn state worry questionnaire(PSWQ), symptom checklist-90(SCL-90)and eysenck personality questionnaire(EPQ). Electrochemiluminescence was used to test plasma cortisol concentration. Results The EPQ-N score in the patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls(t=14.307, P<0.01). Furthermore, N score in the patients showed a significantly positive correlation with HAMA total score, SCL-90 total score, somatization score, interpersonal sensitivity score, depression score and anxiety score (r=0.492-0.977, P<0.01). Plasma cortisol levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder((668.50±60.22)nmol/L) were significantly higher than those ((345.35±58.91)nmol/L) in normal controls (t=23.802, P<0.01). Plasma cortisol concentrations displayed a significantly positive correlation with N score, GAD-7, PSWQ, HAMA total score, SCL-90 total score, somatization score, interpersonal sensitivity score, depression score, and anxiety score(r=0.501-0.995, P<0.01). Conclusion Plasma cortisol levels in the patients with generalized anxiety disorder are higher than those in normal controls. Plasma cortisol levels are related to the mental health.Patients with generalized anxiety disorder tend to be neuroticism. Key words: Generalized anxiety disorder; Personality; Cortisol; Pearson correlation analysis