Personality disorders and major depression in patients with somatoform pain disorders and medical illnesses in relation to age at onset of work disability

In 126 patients, 56 males and 70 females with a mean age of 46.2 + 10.6 years, 60 with somatoform pain disorders and 66 with medical illnesses such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes treated at a rehabilitation centre, personality disorders were found in 34.9% and major depression in 27%. Cluster A and B personality disorders were significantly more common in patients with medical illnesses. The presence of a personality disorder within cluster B, but nor a major affective disorder, resulted in an earlier age at onset of long-standing work disability. The results are in line with a long series of earlier studies indicating a worse course and a poorer response to treatment of Axis I disorders in patients with comorbid personality disorders.