Type D personality and the degree of control of bronchial asthma.

INTRODUCTION

Poor asthma control is probably associated with both biological and psychological factors. Type D pattern of behavior is characterized by negative emotionality and inhibition in social relationships. It was previously found to be associated with cardiovascular diseases.

AIM

To evaluate the correlation between the degree of asthma control and the severity of the components of type D behavior pattern.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The research was conducted on a group of 117 subjects with bronchial asthma. The control group consisted of 32 healthy subjects. The degree of bronchial asthma control was determined using the Asthma Control Test. The D pattern of behavior was measured using the DS-14 questionnaire.

RESULTS

The risk of type D behavior pattern, defined as scoring at least 10 points in both scales (Negative Emotionality and Social Inhibition), was higher in subjects with uncontrolled asthma than in healthy individuals (OR = 5.19; 95% CI: 1.74-15.44), those with partial control of asthma (OR = 6.04; 95% CI: 1.87-19.52) and subjects with good control of asthma (OR = 8.46; 95% CI: 3.09-23.16). The severity of depressiveness correlated positively with the number of infections in the past year. Negative emotionality correlated positively with the number of infections and social inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

Type D pattern of behavior may be associated with diagnosis and severity of asthma. Due to its link to poor control of asthma symptoms, a high level of negative emotionality among patients with asthma might be of particular interest to the clinicians.