Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance that causes clinically significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.

This study aimed to evaluate body dysmorphic disorder, self-esteem, and depression in cosmetic rhinoplasty patients

250 cosmetic rhinoplasty patients completed a demographic questionnaire, dysmorphic concern questionnaire (DCQ), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Beck depression index-II (BDI-II). Data were analyzed by appropriate tests.

Of 250 patients, 30 (12.0%) were male and 220 (88.0%) were female. Mean ± SD was 24.0 ± 4.7 for age. Frequency of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) was 18.0% (45). BDD showed a significant correlation with lower self-esteem and higher depression (both P<0.001). From patients who had BDD, 5(11.1%) showed minimal depression, 14 (31.1%) mild depression, 25(55.6%) moderate depression and 1 (2.2%) severe depression. Also, BDD showed a significant association with the job (Higher in students and housewives, P= 0.04) and cigarette smoking (P<0.001).

Lower self-esteem showed in the patients with age <25 years old (P<0.001), students (P=0.003), Lower education (P<0.001) and lower income (P=0.03).

The prevalence of depression (BDI score >13) was 107 (42.2%). Severity of depression was significantly higher in married patients (P=0.003), lower education (P=0.001), lower income (P=0.04), cigarette smoking (P=0.008), having more children (P<0.001) and having a history of previous cosmetic surgery (P=0.001).

There should be special concerns about psychiatric aspects of people who seek cosmetic surgeries.