Personality traits and self-rated health might be a sustaining factor for some cases of organic dyspepsia

Abstract Background Self-rated health (SRH) is associated with morbidity, mortality and personality traits. Previously is reported differences in personality traits and SRH among patients with acute abdominal pain divided into three diagnostic groups, organic dyspepsia, specific abdominal diagnoses and non-specific abdominal pain. However, the impact of personality traits on SRH still is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations of personality traits with SRH among patients with acute abdominal pain belonging to the three main diagnostic groups; organic dyspepsia, non-specific abdominal pain and specific abdominal diagnoses.Methods Consecutive patients (N = 137) with abdominal symptoms at an emergency ward completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) alongside rating SRH.Results Patients with poor SRH were in temperament more harm avoidant (p < 0.001), pessimistic (p < 0.001), fearful (p = 0.039) and fatigued (p < 0.001). In character less self-directed (p < 0.001), responsible (p < 0.001), purposeful (p = 0.012), resourceful (p = 0.003), goal-directed in behavior (p = 0.001) and generally less mature in character (p = 0.002). These personality traits, except for fearfulness, showed alongside organic dyspepsia, to be risk factors for low SRH in univariate logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that poor SRH was predicted by high fatigability (p = 0.003) and low self-directedness (p = 0.001). Approximately 65% of patients with very poor SRH deviated in personality traits from normal range compared to 5% with very well SRH (p < 0.001).Conclusions Several personality traits were associated with poor SRH in patients with acute abdominal pain, especially in organic dyspepsia. These results implies that psychiatric consultation might be beneficial for patients with acute abdominal pain.