Psychological Factors and Personality Traits Associated With Patients in Chronic Foot and Ankle Pain

BACKGROUND: The impact of psychosocial factors and personality traits in chronic pain is well established. However, there has been limited literature analyzing the influence of psychological issues in chronic foot and ankle pain. The aim of our study was to identify the association of certain psychosocial factors and personality traits in individuals with chronic painful foot and ankle disorders. METHODS: Patients with chronic foot and ankle pain were recruited from the specialist foot and ankle clinic. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R), Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS), and Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale were administered in the form of questionnaires. An age- and sex-matched cohort of healthy volunteers served as the control group. Sample size was determined after power calculation, and a total of 90 participants were recruited with informed consent with 45 participants in each arm. Results were analyzed and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. RESULTS: Patients with chronic foot and ankle pain had significantly higher neuroticism scores than the control group (P < .05). The study also revealed greater prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic pain (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The study showed a significant association of anxiety, depression, and neuroticism in patients presenting with chronic foot and ankle pain. Clinicians should recognize the influence of these specific psychological issues to provide a more holistic approach to the clinical problem. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case control study.