Classification of personality traits using the Big Five Inventory-10 in esophageal adenocarcinoma patients

Abstract

Background: During the last decades the number of patients suffering from Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) were rising in the western hemisphere. The association of patient's personality traits, depression, stressors and cancer development is a controversial issue and there are no data available, correlating personality traits in EAC patients. Methods: In a multi-center survey, the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10; neuroticism, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness) was investigated in patients with EAC between 01/2013 and 12/2015. The questionnaires were sent to 1,247 EAC patients and were answered by 839 (females: 13.8%, males: 86.2%; 66.7±9.7 years) patients (67.3%). The results were compared with healthy controls from two Big Five inventories representing the German resident population for gender and age. Results: Patients with EAC showed differences in their personality traits regarding to the Big Five compared to the German resident population with lower values in extraversion and openness and higher values in neuroticism, conscientiousness and agreeableness in the study group. Gender specific differences were observed for agreeableness (P=0.04) and neuroticism (P=0.000). In EAC patients, age was associated with a decrease in neuroticism, while in the reference group higher age was associated with higher values for neuroticism. Conclusions: We were able to show gender and age specific characteristics in a large EAC patient cohort. Personality traits, especially neuroticism, might be a useful tool to increase the awareness to support also cancer survivors by psycho-oncologists, as neuroticism is associated with depression and anxiety.