Personality characteristics in chronic and non-chronic allergic conditions A. Buske-Kirschbaum a, * , M. Ebrecht b , S. Kern c , A. Gierens d , D.H. Hellhammer d a Department of Biopsychology, Technical University of Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany b Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH, Sapporobogen 6-8, D-80637 Munich, Germany c Department of Neurology, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany d Department of Psychobiology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, D-54290 Trier, Germany Received 3 September 2007; received in revised form 6 December 2007; accepted 6 December 2007 Available online 31 January 2008 Abstract In psycho-allergological research, the potential relevance of personality factors in the maintenance and exacerbation of atopic symp- toms is still a matter of debate. The present study aimed to assess personality dimensions in chronic atopic disease, i.e. atopic dermatitis (AD) and in acute manifestation of atopy (seasonal allergic rhinitis, SAR). Further, the association of a potentially atopy-specific per- sonality profile with atopy-relevant biological stress responses should be evaluated. Subjects suffering from AD (n = 36), or SAR (n = 20) and non-atopic controls (n = 37) were investigated. To determine different personality domains, Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inven- tory (STAI), the Questionnaire for Competence and Control (FKK) and the Questionnaire for Stress Vulnerability (MESA) were admin- istered. To assess the relation between these personality dimensions and biological stress responses, atopics and non-atopic controls were exposed to a standardized laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST). Endocrine (cortisol, ACTH), immune (total IgE, leuko- cyte subsets) and physiological (heart rates) measures were recorded before and after the stress test. When compared to healthy controls, AD and SAR patients showed significantly higher trait anxiety (STAI) and stress vulnerability in situations characterized by failure, job overload and social conflicts (MESA). Moreover, AD subjects scored significantly lower in self-competence and self-efficacy (FKK) as well as in recreation ability (MESA). No difference trait anxiety and stress vulnerability could be detected between AD and SAR subjects. Pearson correlational analyses yielded no significant correlation between the different personality domains and the endocrine, physiolog- ical and immunological stress responses. However, stress-induced increase in eosinophil number was significantly correlated with the per- ceived self-competence/self-efficacy in SAR patients. Ó 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Personality; Seasonal allergic rhinitis; Atopic dermatitis; Anxiety; Stress vulnerability; Self-competence; Self-efficacy; Stress; Eosinophils 1. Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with main symptoms such as eczematous skin, ery- thematous papules and severe pruritus (Boguniewicz, 2004; Leung et al., 2004). In the last 30 years, the frequency of AD has significantly increased, with a current estimated prevalence of 15–24% in the industrialized countries. Now- adays, AD represents one of the most frequent chronic dis- eases and accounts for up to 20% of all patients treated in dermatology departments. (Van Moerbeke, 1997; Mortz et al., 2001). Although AD is not a life-threatening disease, AD symptomatology results in significant morbidity often associated with hospitalization, school absenteeism and missing work days. The unpredictability of the disease, the torturing pruritus and the feeling to be cosmetically disfigured further imposes a psychological burden on AD sufferers and their relatives. It is broadly accepted that numerous factors such as genetic disposition, climate, allergens or microbial organ- 0889-1591/$ - see front matter Ó 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2007.12.002 * Corresponding author. Fax: +49 351 46337274. E-mail address: buske@biopsych.tu-dresden.de (A. Buske-Kirschbaum). www.elsevier.com/locate/ybrbi Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 22 (2008) 762–768 BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, and IMMUNITY