[Personality types in patients with atherosclerosis of different localization: prevalence and clinical features]

The aim of the work was to study the influence of D-type personality on clinical characteristics and extent of the pathological process in patients with atherosclerosis (AS) of different localization. A total of 943 patients (774 men and 169 women, mean age 58.6+-3 yr) were examined prior to arterial surgery. D-type personality was identified using a DS-14 questionnaire. The patients were divided into those with D-type personality (n=182) and without it (n=761). The following parameters were recorded: risk factors of AS, severity of clinical symptoms, history of myocardial infarction, acute cerebrovascular accidents, transitory ischemic attacks, concomitant pathology, and echocardiographic measuremnents. AS of non-coronary basins was diagnosed by color duplex scanning or angiograpgy. The number of affected vascular basins with stenosis of 30% or more arteries was detected. D-type personality was revealed in 19.3% of the patients with AS of different localization. It did not correlate with the social status, risk factors, and clinical symptoms. However D-type was associated with AS of extracranial arteries and combined lesions in several vascular basins as well as with the enhanced level of anxiety and depression and impaired quality of life.