Objective: To determine the range of psychiatric disorders and personality traits in patients with functional dystonia (FD).

Background: FD is a part of the spectrum of functional movement disorders. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, but a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders has previously been reported.

Methods: Thirty nine patients with FD and 30 patients with primary dystonia (PD) matched by age, gender and dystonia distribution, were examined for the presence of psychiatric disorders according to DSM IV criteria, and evaluated by standardized instruments for the assessment of dystonia, psychiatric and personality domains.

Results: Both groups were cognitively intact. Comparing to PD (age 44.0±12.9 years, 25 females), FD patients (age 46.5±14.7years, 29 females) had statistically significantly more frequent stress and psychiatric treatment preceding dystonia, as well as conversion disorder, the presence of “La Belle Indifférence” sign, and higher scores of scales for apathy, dissociation and conversion. The most prominent finding in FD was major depressive disorder prior to dystonia onset (42%), which continued as recurrent depression in the further disease course. Other less frequent manifestations comprised the whole psychiatric spectrum, from neurotic to psychotic diseases. Regarding personality traits, FD patients had lower extraversion and openness to experience comparing to PD. Strong predictors of FD were stress before dystonia, prior psychiatric disorder and “La Belle Indifférence” sign.

Conclusions: Our research confirmed that FD had a significant rate of concomitant psychiatric disorders, mostly depression. Better understanding of pathogenesis and spectrum of clinical manifestations could promote development of effective treatment.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/psychiatric-disorders-and-personality-traits-in-patients-with-functional-dystonia/