Facial Plast Surg 2024; 40(05): 571-580
DOI: 10.1055/a-2241-9934
Review Article

The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire—Aesthetic Surgery: Are We Screening the Troublesome Patients?

Frank Declau*
1   Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, GZA-ziekenhuizen, Campus Sint-Vincentius, Antwerp, Belgium
3   Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
,
Laura Pingnet*
3   Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
,
3   Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
,
2   Centre of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, and Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
,
1   Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, GZA-ziekenhuizen, Campus Sint-Vincentius, Antwerp, Belgium
3   Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

This study aims to clarify the current concept of performing rhinoplasty in patients with possible body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The primary objective was to investigate the validity and evolution over time of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire—Aesthetic Surgery (BDDQ-AS) before and after surgery. Together with the BDDQ-AS, also the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale, FACE-Q nose and nostrils, and Utrecht questionnaire (UQ) were used for convergent validation. In this prospective study, 187 patients completed these patient-reported outcome measures at four time points: at the preoperative consultation and postoperatively at 3, 6 and 12 months. The preoperative BDDQ-AS positivity rate was as high as 55.1%. Postoperatively, there was a highly significant decrease in the odds of scoring positive on the BDDQ-AS. At the preoperative consultation, positively screened patients were less satisfied with the esthetics of their noses with worse scores on UQ, FACE-Q nose, and visual analog scale. The preoperative differences in outcome measure ratings disappeared postoperatively, except for the FACE-Q nostrils, which surprisingly showed better values in BDDQ-AS positive patients. Younger age and absence of nasal trauma were statistically significant covariates associated with positive BDDQ-AS screening. Due to the overwhelming decrease in positive BDDQ-AS outcomes after surgery, a positive screening result on the BDDQ-AS should not be interpreted as a formal contraindication for surgery. Collaboration with psychologists or psychiatrists remains crucial to diagnose BDD conclusively.

* Laura Pingnet and Frank Declau are shared first authors.




Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
10 January 2024

Article published online:
15 February 2024

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