The structured interview elicits a differential prostacyclin response in A and B behaviour types.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether individuals exhibiting the type A behaviour pattern have a different extent of prostacyclin or thromboxane production after relaxation or after a structured interview compared to individuals exhibiting the type B behaviour pattern.

DESIGN

Subjects were randomized to receive prospectively either a relaxation session or a mildly stressful interview first. Each then received the alternate treatment second.

SETTING

Students attending an introductory psychology course at the University of Manitoba received a relaxation session (20 mins lying down listening to a tape) and an interview session (the structured interview of Rosenman).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Type A/B behaviour pattern was rated using the structured interview of Rosenman. Production of 6-keto prostaglandin F1-alpha and thromboxane B2, metabolites of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2, respectively, were measured in response to a standardized vascular injury-bleeding time.

MAIN RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in the length of bleeding time, in bleeding time thromboxane production or in prostacyclin production after relaxation between individuals exhibiting type A and B behaviour patterns. Prostacyclin production after the interview was lower in type A individuals (3.29 +/- 0.29 pg/min) than in individuals exhibiting type B behaviour (4.76 +/- 0.63 pg/min) (P = 0.04). No significant post interview differences in bleeding time or in thromboxane production were seen.

CONCLUSION

After relaxation, type A and B subjects are similar in their prostacyclin and thromboxane responses to vascular injury. However, type A individuals show a less favorable prostacyclin response than type B when confronted with the structured interview; type A individuals responded in an aggressive or hostile fashion, while the type B individuals exhibited a more relaxed response.