Evaluation of Temperament and Character Features as Risk Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome

Abstract

Background and PurposeRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep-related movement disorder that is frequently associated with psychological disturbances. Personality traits are of considerable importance with respect to coping with chronic illness and disease vulnerability. This study assessed the temperament and character traits of RLS patients using an approach that involves the psychobiological model of personality.MethodsThe personality features of 65 newly diagnosed and untreated RLS patients with no neurological or psychiatric diseases and 109 healthy controls were determined using the Temperament and Character Inventory and compared using covariance analyses. The International RLS Study Group Severity Scale was used to assess the severity of the RLS symptoms, and the Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms.ResultsRLS patients scored significantly higher than healthy controls on the temperament dimension of harm avoidance (HA, p=0.02) and significantly lower on self-directedness (SD, p=0.001). No significant difference was observed in terms of the temperament dimension of novelty seeking (p=0.435). HA scores were significantly correlated with the BDI score but not with the RLS severity or duration.ConclusionsHigh HA and low SD scores are the main characterizing personality features of RLS patients. These personality dimensions may be among the factors predisposing patients to development of the depressive symptoms that are frequently associated with RLS.

Relations Between Sleep and Temperament in Preschool Children With ADHD

“…Children with higher scores on SD and ST show, respectively, higher variability in activity index and sleep minutes. The relation between these two character dimensions and sleep problems is partially supported by a study on adult patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS; Altunayoglu Cakmak et al, 2014) that highlighted a negative relation between SD and symptoms of RLS such as “need to move extremities.” In our study, we found that SD is positively correlated with the variability of the activity index. Since in preschool age motor activity is considered to be a typical behavior, it is possible that parents perceive the child activity as an index of self-confidence and autonomy, differently by inhibited children (Eisenberg et al, 2001).…”

Association of Restless Legs Syndrome With Risk of Suicide and Self-harm

“…In addition, even when they are free of comorbid psychiatric disorders, individuals with RLS exhibit high neuroticism in several dimensions. 37,38,39 This personality trait has a robust association with suicide 40 by prospectively contributing to the development of depressive symptoms. 41…”

“…In addition, even when they are free of comorbid psychiatric disorders, individuals with RLS exhibit high neuroticism in several dimensions. [37][38][39] This personality trait has a robust association with suicide 40 by prospectively contributing to the development of depressive symptoms. 41 Comorbid sleep problems (eg, sleep disturbance, insomnia, and OSA) may also contribute to elevated suicide risk in individuals with RLS.…”

Affective temperament does not influence satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty

“…There is little documentation existing for the effect of affective temperament on somatic disorders. To date, affective temperaments have been assessed in patients with HIV infection, [ 27 ] pediatric fractures, [ 28 ] chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, [ 29 ] restless leg syndrome, [ 30 ] psoriasis, [ 31 ] and type II diabetes [ 32 ] but not after total knee replacement that is a common orthopedic procedure. Two studies advised evaluation of depressive temperaments to better control of morbidities associated with restless leg syndrome and diabetes.…”