Type D personality and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 08/16/2011

Sararoudi RB et al. – Type D personality may be an important determinant of individual differences in health related quality of life (HRQoL) among irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Negative affectivity as one of type D dimensions may have an adverse effect on HRQoL in patient with IBS. Therefore, additional attention is needed in IBS patients with type D personality.

• In a cross–sectional study, 194 consecutive patients with IBS referred to two referral gastrointestinal clinics affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected in respect of inclusive and exclusive criteria.
• The patients completed type D personality (DS–14), IBS quality of life and the IB severity scoring (IBS–SSS) scales.
• The patients were divided into two groups with and without type D personality using DS–14.
• Then, the data was analyzed using ANCOVA and multiple regression.

• The findings indicated that 40.7% of the patients had type D personality.
• The results of ANCOVA controlled for the influence of severity of IBS and treatment duration showed significant difference between the two groups in health related quality of life (F = 11.89, p < 0.01).
• Multiple regression analysis indicated negative affectivity (ß = –0.283, p < 0.010), severity of symptoms (ß = 0.279, p < 0.001) and duration of treatment (ß = –0.189, p < 0.050) as significant predictors for HRQoL in patients with IBS.