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

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 type and 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.