[Pluri-dimensional study of psychological factors in coronary disease]

To palliate certain criticisms levelled at workers studying psychological factors in coronary artery disease, the authors have applied a pluri-dimensional approach associating a semi-direct psychological interview, a self-evaluation test (Bortner scale), an Eysenck personality test and Sandler and Hazari's test of obsessional behaviour. This protocol was applied to 222 patients hospitalised for coronary artery disease and 522 random controls. The psychological interview and Bortner test showed a significantly higher proportion of A pattern and especially extreme A pattern behaviour in patients with coronary artery disease (32.6 % in coronary patients 9.7 % in controls). The personality questionnaire showed a greater tendency to neurotic behaviour in the coronary patients. These results were independant of age and sex. In the present study, psychological factors are given equal importance to other major risk factors (tobacco, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia). They are independant of these other factors. A prospective study using the same protocol is being prepared.