Impact of Anal Fissure on Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Scientific literature on determining patterns of personality traits in patients with anal fissure is limited. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To determine whether certain common psychological traits are associated with anal fissure. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A case-control study was carried out in Spain in 2016–2017. Patients with acute or chronic idiopathic anal fissure (<i>n</i> = 35) and controls (<i>n</i> = 32) were recruited. The main outcome measures were those defined in the NEO-FFI questionnaire, validated in Spain, which was administered to all the participants. This questionnaire evaluates the following traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Three significant traits were noted: (1) greater neuroticism in the cases (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08–1.32, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, AUC 0.77), (2) greater openness to experience in the controls (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83–0.98, <i>p</i> = 0.015, AUC 0.69), and (3) greater conscientiousness in the controls (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83–1.00, <i>p</i> = 0.049, AUC 0.69). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The cases mainly presented higher levels of neuroticism and lower levels of openness to experience and conscientiousness. Further studies are needed to corroborate our results.