AB1224-HPR Type of Personality – a New Item to Take into Account When Evaluating Quality of Life and Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients
Authors: M.A. Dobrin, T. Donisan, D. Predeteanu, V.C. Bojinca, C. Constantinescu, M. Bojinca, D. Opris, L. Groseanu, A. Borangiu, M. Negru, F. Berghea, D.V. Balanescu, R. Ionescu, A.R. Balanescu
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> In RA pts, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment is important, but there is little research regarding the relation between the type of personality and the individual differences in HRQoL<sup>1</sup>. Optimism and the tendency to hold greater positive outcome expectancies have been found to be related with better psychological well-being in RA pts, while negative affectivity (components of type C and D personality) are reported to show lower health satisfaction scores<sup>2</sup>. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of different types of personality with aspects of HRQoL and disease activity in RA pts. <h3>Methods</h3> This cross-sectional study included 104 RA pts from two different Rheumatology Departments (7.7% men, 92.3% women, mean age 59.08, mean duration of disease 12.77 years). Personality type was assessed with Jenkins Activity Survey for type A/B, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory Anger-in Scale (AIS) for type C and Type D Personality Scale (DS14), with its components (negative affect-NA and social inhibition-SI) for type D. HRQoL was quantified using the Medical Outcome Study Short-Term-36 (SF36v2) and its subscales (Physical function-PF, Social function-SF, Role physical-RP, Role emotional-RE, Mental health-MH, Vitality-VT, Bodily Pain-BP, Global Health-GH, physical component scores-PCS and mental component scores-MCS). Disease activity was evaluated with Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. <h3>Results</h3> Type C pts correlate with decreases in HRQoL in 7 of its 8 subscales when compared to non-C personality pts (RP <i>M</i>=15±28.56/<i>M</i>=3.14±38, VT <i>M</i>=32.57±2.23/<i>M</i>=44.63±22.68, RE <i>M</i>=27.62±39.18/<i>M</i>=49.99±44.05, MH <i>M</i>=39.54±25.88/<i>M</i>=62.64±22.44, MCS <i>M</i>=36.98±13.33/<i>M</i>=46.52±12.36; p&lt;0,05), whereas type D pts show lower values only in 5 of 8 components when compared to non-D (RP <i>M</i>=4.68±1/<i>M</i>=29.06±37.54, GH <i>M</i>=28.75±13.6/<i>M</i>=38.63±23.99, VT <i>M</i>=25±17.88/<i>M</i>=43.83±21.93, SF <i>M</i>=49.21±27.18/<i>M</i>=63.6±25.18, RE <i>M</i>=8.33±19.24/<i>M</i>=49.22±43.9, MH <i>M</i>=26.75±22.75/<i>M</i>=6.51±22.71, MCS <i>M</i>=29.89±11.17/<i>M</i>=45.98±12.22; p&lt;0,05). Less features of type C associate with better MH (r=-.58) and less type D traits (smaller the NA and SI) with better MCS (r<sub>NA</sub>=-.55, r<sub>SI</sub>=-.38). Type C and D pts also have increased disease activity levels, not only related to DAS28, but also to PGA. Type A pts assess pain by VAS to be lower than those with type B (M=56.5±34.94 vs 84.66±15.09, p&lt;0,05), with no other significant correlations. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The present study showed associations between type C and D personalities with negative effects on several components of HRQoL in RA pts and also with higher disease activity. We did not find significant correlations with type A personality, except for a lower pain assessment. Future research including prospective follow-up assessments is needed in order to determine if the personality type influences the evolution of disease and the response to treatment in RA patients. <h3>References</h3> Uhlig T., et al. Rheumatology. 2007;34(6):1241-1247. Treharne GJ, et al. Br J Health Psychol.2007;12(1):323–345. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared