Distinctive personality patterns in patients with chronic viral hepatitis

Abstract

Results We have evaluated 29 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (21 females and 8 males – 9 with HBV and 20 with HCV) and 28 subjects for the control group (18 females and 10 males). The mean age in patients with chronic hepatitis was 47.97 ± 13.63 vs. 31.36 ± 8.28 in the control group. Comparing the results between the control group and the two subgroups with HBV and HCV infection we obtained the following statistically significant differences: • The HBV group presented 31 scales with significant differences compared to controls, with elevated scores for: OBS (obsessiveness), DEP (depression), ANG (anger), TPA (type A personality) and TRT (negative treatment indicators) scales and subscales TRT1 (low motivation) and TRT2 (inability to disclose), etc. • The HCV group presented 7 scales with significant differences compared to controls, with elevated scores mostly for scales related to the somatic connection. We also identified statistically significant differences between the two chronic hepatitis subgroups (namely 27 scales related to OBS (obsessions), DEP1 (lack of drive), ANG2 (irritability), and CYN (cynicism).