The differential impact of Type D personality on the prognosis of patients with stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the association between Type D personality and prognoses in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients by mode of endpoints, age, and methodological debates to explain substantial heterogeneity among Type D studies.

DESIGN

The prospective study was designed to recruit 590 stable CAD patients in Taiwan. Main outcome measures: Demographic and clinical characteristics, and the 14-item Type D scale-Taiwanese version were recorded at discharge.

RESULTS

Hierarchical logistic regression analyses showed, regardless of the methodological debates, Type D personality was significantly associated with MACEs though not non-cardiac outcomes in stable CAD patients after adjusting for possible confounders. Furthermore, Type D personality was especially associated with MACEs in stable CAD patients with younger age (<65 y), rather than older age (≥65 y). Subgroup analysis also showed the adverse effect of Type D personality on MACEs was larger among males, those living in the rural region, those with PTCA or stent, those with heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and those who were smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of whether the methodological debate is dichotomous or continuous, Type D personality was significantly associated with MACEs in stable CAD patients, some of whom had younger age, were males, smokers, or had comorbidities.