High Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Symptoms in Patients Seeking Rhinoplasty : Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

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High Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Symptoms in Patients Seeking Rhinoplasty

Picavet, Valerie A. M.D.; Prokopakis, Emmanuel P. M.D., Ph.D.; Gabriëls, Lutgardis M.D., Ph.D.; Jorissen, Mark M.D., Ph.D.; Hellings, Peter W. M.D., Ph.D.

Author Information

Leuven, Belgium; and Heraklion, Greece

From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and the Psychiatric Department, University Hospitals Leuven, and the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Heraklion.

Received for publication November 12, 2010; accepted February 3, 2011.

Presented at the 33rd Annual Conference of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, in Antalya, Turkey, September 1 through 5, 2010; and the 23rd Conference of the European Rhinologic Society, in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20 through 24, 2010.

Disclosure:The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. No outside funding was received.

Peter W. Hellings, M.D., Ear, Nose, and Throat Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium, [email protected]

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 128(2):p 509-517, August 2011. | DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31821b631f

Abstract

Background: 

Nasal aesthetic deformities may be associated with significant body image dissatisfaction. The only diagnostic category in the current list of psychiatric disorders that directly addresses these concerns is body dysmorphic disorder. This large-scale study determined the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder and its symptoms in patients seeking rhinoplasty and evaluated the clinical profile of these patients.

Methods: 

Two hundred twenty-six patients were given questionnaires including demographic characteristics, visual analogue scales for nasal shape, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for body dysmorphic disorder to assess severity of symptoms, a generic quality-of-life questionnaire, and the Derriford Appearance Scale 59, to assess appearance-related disruption of everyday living. Independent observers scored the nasal shape.

Results: 

Thirty-three percent of patients showed at least moderate symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. Aesthetic goals (p < 0.001), revision rhinoplasty (p = 0.003), and psychiatric history (p = 0.031) were associated with more severe symptoms. There was no correlation between the objective and subjective scoring of the nasal shape. Yale-Brown scale modified for body dysmorphic disorder scores correlated inversely with the subjective nasal scoring (n = 210, p < 0.001), without relation to the objective deformity of the nose. Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms significantly reduced the generic quality of life (n = 160, p < 0.001) and led to significant appearance-related disruption of everyday living (n = 161, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: 

The prevalence of moderate to severe body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in an aesthetic rhinoplasty population is high. Patients undergoing revision rhinoplasty and with psychiatric history are particularly at risk. Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms significantly reduce the quality of life and cause significant appearance-related disruption of everyday living.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 

Risk, III.

FU4-22
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©2011American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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