Can personality traits affect the quality of life of women with the BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations before and after prophylactic adnexectomy?

M. Stanisz, D. Schneider-Matyka, M. Panczyk, D. Branecka-Woźniak, R. Kurzawa, A. Knyszyńska, E. Grochans

Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. daria.schneider-matyka@pum.edu.pl

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• Psychology

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinomas are the most common hereditary gynecological cancers associated with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. It is recommended to radicalize management, using RRSO. Personality traits are regarded as significant contributors to human QoL and adaptability to the changed conditions of functioning. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of personality on the QoL of women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations before and after RRSO.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 62 patients with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations referred to hospital for RRSO. The research instruments were the WHQ, NEO-FFI, and self-developed sociodemographic data collection tool.

RESULTS: Highly neurotic patients with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations had lower QoL, especially in the domains of depressed mood, anxiety/fears, and sleep problems. At the same time, higher levels of conscientiousness, openness to experience, extroversion, and agreeableness were associated with better QoL outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: (1) Personality traits can contribute to the QoL of women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations before and after RRSO. (2) Identification of personality traits may be an important prognostic factor indicating potential changes in the QoL of patients after RRSO.

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