Type D personality and quality of life in subjects after myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: Type D or distressed personality, which is a combination of negative affectivity and social inhibition, and poor quality of life (QoL) are considered predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the role of type D personality as a determinant of QoL in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Aim: To determine the relationship between type D personality and QoL in patients after a myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Results obtained in 86 patients aged 36–87 (mean 60.5 ± 10.05) years who suffered a MI were analysed. Most of the patients (72.1%) were men. The study tools included the DS-14 scale developed by Denollet to assess personality typeand the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire by Fahrenberg et al.

Results: Type D personality was found in 46.5% of respondents. Subjects with this type of personality showed lower QoL compared to non-type D subjects. Among the two dimensions of the type D personality, social inhibition was identified as a predictor of poor QoL.

Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation programs should include interventions to reduce features of type D personality, particularly social inhibition.