Turkish Neurosurgery 2016 , Vol 26 , Num 6
Temperament and Character Profile in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study
Seniz AKCAY YALBUZDAG1, Asiye Mukaddes EROL2, Ilker SENGUL1, Canan CELIK3, Sezin SOLUM2, Huseyin Utku ADILAY4, Buket GUNGOR5
1Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey
2Bursa Sevket Yilmaz Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bursa, Turkey
3Giresun University, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Giresun, Turkey
4Bursa Sevket Yilmaz Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Bursa, Turkey
5Bursa Sevket Yilmaz Education and Research Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Bursa, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.13679-14.0 AIM: Some psychometric properties may predict the development of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The aim of this study was to determine the pain, disability, and depression severity in patients diagnosed with FBSS, and to determine the temperament and character subgroups in comparison with control group.

MaterIal and Methods: Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with FBSS, and 35 patients with favourable outcome after lumbar spinal surgery were included to the study. Pain intensity, disability, depression scores, temperament and character profile were determined by the visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland Morris Disability Index, Beck Depression Inventory, and Temperament and Character Inventory.

Results: Pain intensity, disability, and depression scores were higher in the FBSS group (p<0.001). There were no significant differences between temperament and character subgroups between study groups except one of the temperament subgroup, reward dependence (p=0.05). There was a negative correlation between self-directedness and leg pain severity in the FBSS group (p=0.01, r=-0.400).

ConclusIon: No significant differences were found between the FBSS and control groups with respect to temperament and character profile but FBSS was the cause of severe pain, disability, and higher depression scores. This group of patients must therefore be evaluated psychiatrically and should also be subjected to a clinical examination, and they should be managed using a multidisciplinary approach. Keywords : Failed back surgery syndrome, Depression, Disability, Temperament, Character

Corresponding author : Seniz Akcay Yalbuzdag, senizakcay@hotmail.com