Vol 10, No 3 (2009): Practical Diabetology
Research paper
Published online: 2009-08-05

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Influence of type of personality on level of depression and metabolic control in type 1 diabetic patients

Anna Majchrzak, Ewelina Pietrzykowska, Dorota Zozulińska-Ziółkiewicz, Bogna Wierusz-Wysocka
Diabetologia Praktyczna 2009;10(3):85-91.

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Psychological factors influence the course of diabetes. The aim of our study was to observe whether there is relationship between type of personality, level of depression and selected parameters of metabolic control in type 1 diabetic patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study was entered by 46 type 1 diabetic patients (28 women, 18 men, aged 29.5 ± 10.2 years, with history of diabetes 7.8 ± 8.4 years). Authors assessed: fasting blood glucose, HbA1c level, serum concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. Level of depression was evaluated with the use of Zung Self-Assessment Depression Scale. Type of personality was studied with Persona test acc. to Golay.
RESULTS. 8 patients represented directive-extravert type of personality (Promotor), 18 patients were compliant and extravert (Facilitator), 10 persons were (Analyser) and 7 - directive and introvert (Controller). The highest level of depression was noted in compliant-introvert patients (Analyser), whereas the lowest depression was recorded in directive-introvert patients (Controller). The difference between these groups was statistically significant (38.9 ± 8.5 v. 27.9 ± 3.9; p < 0.05). The analysis of personality and parameters of metabolic control did not show statistically significant differences in most analyzed parameters of metabolic control. We proved only that patients with directive and extravert type of personality (Promotor) have the lowest serum concentration of LDL-cholesterol, while the highest LDL-cholesterol concentration was observed in directive-introvert patients (Controller) (95.4 ± 19.5 mg/dl v. 143 ± ± 34.1 mg/dl; p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study indicate, that type of personality influences level of depression and lipid profile in patients with type 1 diabetes.

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