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.