PERSONALITY-CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH RESISTANT BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME

The personality characteristics in 32 patients with resistant burning mouth syndrome (EMS) after treatment of diagnosed medical and odontolo gic diseases were examined and compared with a sex- and age-marched co ntrol group. After evaluation of burning mouth symptoms, the personali ty, the psychologic functioning, and the quality of life were determin ed by using the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP), an additional Personality Scale (PS), a Psychological Functioning Scale (PFS), and a Quality of life Scale (QLS). The result showed that, compared with a control group, the patients with resistant BMS had a significantly low er score in socialization scale and significantly higher scores in som atic anxiety, muscular tension, and psychasthenia scales. Furthermore, the patients with resistant BMS were significantly more easily fatigu ed and more sensitive and showed a tendency to be more concerned about their health. With regard to the psychologic functioning, the EMS pat ients had significantly more problems taking the initiative, more easi ly became dizzy, and had more sad thoughts. They also showed a tendenc y to report palpitations and/or indigestions more often. The observed significant differences in personality and psychologic functioning mig ht suggest that the burning sensations are psychosomatic symptoms in t hese patients. We recommend that patients with resistant BMS should un dergo psychologic investigation. If psychologic and/or psychosocial di sturbances are diagnosed, adequate treatment should be offered.