There has been increasing number of requests for cosmetic rhinoplastic surgery among Iranians in different age groups in recent years. One risk for those who undergo such plastic operations is the presence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) which might complicate the results and decrease the rate of satisfaction from surgery. This study was aimed to find the rate of BDD symptoms and mental problems in people demanding rhinoplastic surgery and a control group.

The scores of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and DCQ (Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire) were obtained for 50 people who were candidates for rhinoplastic surgery and the results were compared with normal control group.

The total GHQ score (p=0.0001) and scores in anxiety (p=0.009), depression (p=0.009), and social dysfunction (p<0.001) sub-scales were higher among the study group compared with the control. Similarly, the DCQ score in the study group (10.67±2.93) was obviously higher than the control group (2.54±2.34) (p=0.0001). However, the score of somatisation sub-scale of GHQ (p=0.06) was not significantly different between the two groups.

Psychiatric evaluation in candidates of rhinoplastic surgery seems necessary to prevent unnecessary and repetitive surgical operations.