Keratoconus and personality traits: A case–control study

Abstract

AbstractPurpose: Aim of the present study is to evaluate and characterize the presence of dysfunctional personality traits in patients affected by keratoconus (KC) as compared with unaffected control.Methods: This is monocenter, interventional, prospective, case–control study recruiting 30 consecutive patients, aged 18–30, diagnosed with KC and age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls. Enrolled patients underwent full ophthalmic and psychiatric evaluation. The latter consisted of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐5 Disorder (SCID‐5), Symptoms Check List‐90 Revised (SCL‐90), NEO Five‐Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI), and Temperament Evaluation Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS‐A).Results: Overall, 51 subjects were recruited, of whom 31 in the study and 20 in the control group. Significant differences emerged from the comparison of minimum corneal thickness (<0.0001), of keratometry (K1: p = 0.0063; K2: p < 0.0001), and of best corrected visual acuity values (p < 0.0001) between the study and the control group. Patients affected by KC demonstrated lower scores at the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire‐25 than the healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Mean scores of TEMPS‐A subscales of patients with and without KC differed significantly regarding cyclothymic (p = 0.0272), irritable (p = 0.0404) and anxious (p = 0.0155) temperament. For NEO‐FFI subscales (Table 2), patients with KC showed higher mean scores for neuroticism compared to non‐KC controls (p = 0.0077). Means scores of SCL‐90 showed no difference in all the subscales with the only exception of psychoticism (p = 0.0155). The SCID‐5 demonstrated a higher odd for patients with KC for psychiatric disorders and mood disorders (p = 0.0309), mainly of Cluster B (p = 0.0728) and Cluster C (p = 0.0359).Conclusions: Mood disorder and dysfunctional personality traits represent common comorbidities in KC. A prompt diagnosis and an effective management are mandatory to guarantee the best standard of care to affected patients.