Investigation of the relationship between personality traits and perioperative anaesthetic drug consumption

Objectives: It is observed that individuals have different tolerance to depressant/anaesthetic drugs. Studies indicate that some personality traits may change the need for anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics and propofol consumption in patients undergoing OPU procedure. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study included 90 patients undergoing OPU procedure at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. Personality Belief Scale and Beck Anxiety Scale were administered to the patients one day before the procedure. Routine sedoanalgesia protocol was applied to the patients. The total amount of propofol consumed and duration of anaesthesia, the amount of propofol consumed and the time until the RSS score reached 4, common complications, side effects, haemodynamic data, analgesic consumption, VAS scores, recovery times and patient satisfaction were recorded. Results: The highest value in the personality scores of the patients was found as avoidant personality score (14,48). Anxiety scores were found to be 10.46. A weak positive correlation was found between the avoidant personality belief and the total amount of propofol consumed (r=.217, p<0.05). There was a weak positive correlation between narcissistic personality belief and the time until the RSS score was 4 (r=,288, p<0.05). There was a weak positive correlation between avoidant and passive-aggressive personality belief scores and respiratory depression/hypoxia period, and a moderate positive correlation with dependent personality belief (respectively (r=,365, p<0,05) (r=,342, p<0,05) (r=,413, p<0,05)). Conclusion: A significant correlation was found between avoidant personality trait and the need for sedation. Evaluation of personality traits and knowledge of individual factors determining the need for sedation may contribute to perioperative management, drug consumption and reduction in the incidence of side effects. Keywords: Sedation threshold, personality traits, OPU