[Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with conversion disorder]

To determine the sociodemographic, and clinical characteristics, and comorbid diagnosis of patients with conversion disorder, and also to evaluate the relationship between the duration of conversion and comorbid diagnosis and personality factors.

Seventy-two patients who were diagnosed with conversion disorder according to DSM-IV criteria, were included in this study. The Hacettepe Personality Inventor, was administered to all patients, and they were divided into two groups. The first group had conversion symptoms for four years (Group 1), while the other group had conversion symptoms more than four years (Group 2).

Sixty-three of patients were female, 9 were males. The average onset age of the disorder was 25.9+/-7.5. Seventy patients (97,2%) had received a maximum of 11 years of education. 40.3% of patients sought treatment because of seizures or convulsions, 40,3% because of sensory symptoms or deficits, 5% because of motor symptoms or deficits, and 12,6% because of mixed presentations. The mean duration of complaints was 4.2+/-1.4 years (min= 1, max= 20). 59.7% of the patients had prominent stress before the onset of the conversion symptoms. There were 12 (28.6%) comorbid psychiatric disorders in Group 1, and 17 (56,7%) in Group 2. Although the mean neurotic trend scores in Group 2 (6.1+/-4.1) were higher than Group 1 (3.1+/-3) (p=.03). The mean emotional resolution scores were lower in Group 2 (4.2+/-3.5) than in Group 1 (7.1+/-3.3) (P=.03).

Conversion disorder tends to start in early adulthood, and usually follows a stress factor. As the duration of the disorder increases, comorbid psychopathologies, and the level of anxiety, and especially the prevalence of depression increase.