Evaluation of the type D personality and its association with cardiovascular risk and disease-related parameters in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the type D personality, social inhibition, and negative affectivity and their association with cardiovascular risk and disease-related parameters in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with systemic sclerosis (n = 84) and controls (n = 74). We recorded the sociodemographic parameters, blood pressure (mmHg), and laboratory parameters (mg/dL) of the study groups, as well as disease-related parameters in patients with systemic sclerosis, along with the modified Rodnan skin score. The type D Scale-14 for type D personality (social inhibition and negative affectivity) and the Framingham risk score for 10-year cardiovascular disease risk to the study groups were administered.

Results: The mean age, type D Scale-14 total score, Framingham risk score, and median total modified Rodnan skin score were 55.7 ± 11.6 years, 28.2 ± 13.6, 9.1± 8.1, and 17.5 (13), respectively, in patients with systemic sclerosis. The frequency of type D personality, social inhibition, and negative affectivity was higher in patients than in controls, at 59.5% vs 14.9%, 65.5% vs 23%, and 78.6% vs 32.4%, respectively (p < 0.001 for all). The median Framingham risk score was statistically similar for patients, controls, and patients with and without type D personality (p > 0.05 for all). Compared to those without social inhibition, patients with social inhibition had higher total modified Rodnan skin scores (p = 0.011). Social inhibition exhibited a weakly positive correlation with the total modified Rodnan skin score (Spearman's ρ = 0.223), yet regression analysis did not achieve significance.

Conclusions: More than half of patients with systemic sclerosis display type D personality traits. Patients with serious skin fibrosis experience more social inhibition, so it is important to provide psychological and social support to them.

Keywords: Systemic sclerosis; cardiovascular risk score; skin fibrosis; social inhibition; type D personality.