Cluster B personality disorders are common and often correlated with higher rates of axis I comorbidity, increased severity and impaired outcome.

This study aimed to compare sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with cluster B personality disorders to those with cluster A and C.

All five years (January 2000 to December 2004) first time attendances to an outpatient psychiatric unit were retrospectively examined. 127 cases with diagnosis of personality disorders (DSM-IV criteria)were selected: Cluster B (n=81), cluster C (n=32) and cluster A (n=14). Comparaisons were performed for sociodemographic features, medical history and axis I comorbidity.

Patients with cluster B personality disorders were younger(p=0,001), had higher education level (p=0,01) and more regular jobs (p=0,01).

There was less family history of depressive (p=0,011) and anxiety disorders (p=0,021) and more personal history of alcohol abuse (p=0,001). No differences in axis I comorbidity rates were found. However, patients with cluster B personality types had more depressive disorders, addictive disorders and somatoform disorders than those with cluster C (p=0,017) and cluster A (p=0,001). Also, cluster B personality disorders were correlated to earlier onset of addictive disorders (p=0,037) and more frequent follow-up withdrawal (p=0,009).

Clusters B personality disorders were not correlated to higer axis I comorbity rate but to specific comorbid disorders and to follow-up withdrawal.