Though phenomenon of dysmorphic disorder has been studied extensively clinical dynamical characteristics of this disorder are still being investigated.

Aim of this study was to evaluate patterns of dynamics and risk factors of body dysmorphic disorder in patients of plastic surgeons and cosmetologists.

We included adult patients of Maxillofacial Surgery and Cosmetology departments of Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (from January 2010 to May 2016) with unconfirmed “facial deformity” diagnosed with dysmorphic disorder (F45.2 and F22.88 according to ICD-10). The study used clinical psychopathological method with follow-up period 1–3 years. Data from clinical psychopathological assessment were processed using correlation analysis and non-lineal regression analysis by means of logistic regression method.

Study sample consisted of 103 patients (78.6% female; mean age 33.4 ± 4.7 years). Statistically significant chronobiological (age, hormone fluctuations, genesial cycle) and psychosocial (financial changes, forced separation, bereavement, loss of job, reduction of social activity, conflict situation, sexual dysfunction, violation of law, diagnosing of somatic disease) risk factors for dysmorphia in different life periods have been established. Strong correlations were found between dysmorphic disorder heterogenic clinical picture (overvalued–33%, affective–24.3%, hypochondric–23.3%, obsessive-compulsive–10.7%, delusional–8.7%) and patterns of dynamics (phasic–41.7%, recurrent–33%, chronic–25.3%). Our data suggest that dysmorphia manifests in any age group and in 74.7% cases is not continuous.

Our findings allow to conduct focused diagnostic search, prophylactic psychotherapeutic interventions and early psychopharmacological treatment in individuals with identified risk factors for dysmorphic disorder.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.