Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profile in patients with restless legs syndrome.

INTRODUCTION

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is associated with psychiatric disorders. We aim to investigate the personality traits of RLS patients using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

METHODS

Twenty adult patients with RLS (14 females and 6 males) and 20 healthy controls (14 females and 6 males) who were referred to university neurology were enrolled in the present study. Diagnosis of RLS was established using International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Psychometric evaluation was made with the Turkish version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

RESULTS

RLS patients have significantly higher absolute and clinical elevation scores on hypochondriasis and hysteria, and clinical elevation scores on psychasthenia, compared with the controls. Absolute scores on depression were higher at the border in RLS patients compared with the controls.

DISCUSSION

RLS patients have hypochondriac, hysterical, depressive, and anxious personality traits.