[Type D personality in chronic lung diseases: prevalence, psychological features]

To estimate the prevalence and impact of Type D personality on the psychological status and quality of life (QL) of patients with chronic lung diseases.

117 patients (105 men and 12 women; mean age 59.6 +/- 0.9 years) with chronic lung diseases were examined. The DS14 questionnaire was used to identify Type D personality. According to the test results, the patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) 39 Type D patients; 2) 78 non-Type D patients. The levels of depression and anxiety and QL were additionally determined using the SF-36 questionnaire. Clinical and laboratory parameters, spirometric data, and 6-minute walk test (6'WT) distance were estimated.

The Type D versus non-Type D patients had higher levels of situational (46.6 +/- 1.7 and 41.2 +/- 1.2 scores; p = 0.01) and personality (47.6 +/- 1.5 and 43.7 +/- 0.9 scores; p = 0.02) anxiety and depression (42.9 +/- 1.6 and 35.9 +/- 0.8 scores; p = 0.00004), as well as lower QL levels in the vitality (42.2 +/- 2.2 and 52.2 +/- 1.9 scores; p = 0.002), emotional function (20.5 +/- 4.0 and 36.8 +/- 4.4 scores; p = 0.02), and mental health (56.2 +/- 1.9 and 63.4 +/- 1.9 scores; p = 0.006) scales. The 6'WT distance was less in the Type D patients (463.3 +/- 17.2 m)than in non-Type D patients (504.1 +/- 8.7 m); p = 0.02.

Type D personality is encountered in 33% of patients with chronic lung diseases associated with the higher level of psychological distress in the patients, with the worsening of a mental component of QL, and with the reduction in exercise tolerance.