Abstract
Aims: The role of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease is controversial and most of the research is based on self-rating scales. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiology and in other medical settings using reliable interview methods that reflect its original description. Methods: A sample of 1398 consecutive medical patients (198 with heart transplantation, 153 with a myocardial infarction, 190 with functional gastrointestinal disorders, 104 with cancer, 545 with skin disorders and 208 referred for psychiatric consultation) was administered the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV and the Structured Interview for the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) which identifies 12 clusters, including type A behaviour. Results: A cardiac condition was present in 366 patients. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease (36.1%) compared with other medical disorders (10.8%). Type A behaviour frequently occurred together with psychiatric and psychosomatic disturbances, particularly irritable mood, even though in the majority of cases it was not associated with DSM-IV diagnoses. Among cardiac patients, those with type A behaviour were less depressed, demoralised and worried about their illness. Conclusions: Type A behaviour was found to occur in about a third of cases of patients with cardiovascular disease. Only in a limited number of cases was it associated with depression. It has a lifestyle connotation that may have important clinical consequences as to stress vulnerability and illness behaviour.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 854-861 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | International Journal of Clinical Practice |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 2012 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
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Type A behaviour : A reappraisal of its characteristics in cardiovascular disease. / Sirri, L.; Fava, G. A.; Guidi, J.; Porcelli, P.; Rafanelli, C.; Bellomo, A.; Grandi, S.; Grassi, L.; Pasquini, P.; Picardi, A.; Quartesan, R.; Rigatelli, M.; Sonino, N.
In: International Journal of Clinical Practice, Vol. 66, No. 9, 09.2012, p. 854-861.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Type A behaviour
T2 - A reappraisal of its characteristics in cardiovascular disease
AU - Sirri, L.
AU - Fava, G. A.
AU - Guidi, J.
AU - Porcelli, P.
AU - Rafanelli, C.
AU - Bellomo, A.
AU - Grandi, S.
AU - Grassi, L.
AU - Pasquini, P.
AU - Picardi, A.
AU - Quartesan, R.
AU - Rigatelli, M.
AU - Sonino, N.
PY - 2012/9
Y1 - 2012/9
N2 - Aims: The role of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease is controversial and most of the research is based on self-rating scales. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiology and in other medical settings using reliable interview methods that reflect its original description. Methods: A sample of 1398 consecutive medical patients (198 with heart transplantation, 153 with a myocardial infarction, 190 with functional gastrointestinal disorders, 104 with cancer, 545 with skin disorders and 208 referred for psychiatric consultation) was administered the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV and the Structured Interview for the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) which identifies 12 clusters, including type A behaviour. Results: A cardiac condition was present in 366 patients. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease (36.1%) compared with other medical disorders (10.8%). Type A behaviour frequently occurred together with psychiatric and psychosomatic disturbances, particularly irritable mood, even though in the majority of cases it was not associated with DSM-IV diagnoses. Among cardiac patients, those with type A behaviour were less depressed, demoralised and worried about their illness. Conclusions: Type A behaviour was found to occur in about a third of cases of patients with cardiovascular disease. Only in a limited number of cases was it associated with depression. It has a lifestyle connotation that may have important clinical consequences as to stress vulnerability and illness behaviour.
AB - Aims: The role of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease is controversial and most of the research is based on self-rating scales. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiology and in other medical settings using reliable interview methods that reflect its original description. Methods: A sample of 1398 consecutive medical patients (198 with heart transplantation, 153 with a myocardial infarction, 190 with functional gastrointestinal disorders, 104 with cancer, 545 with skin disorders and 208 referred for psychiatric consultation) was administered the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV and the Structured Interview for the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) which identifies 12 clusters, including type A behaviour. Results: A cardiac condition was present in 366 patients. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of type A behaviour in cardiovascular disease (36.1%) compared with other medical disorders (10.8%). Type A behaviour frequently occurred together with psychiatric and psychosomatic disturbances, particularly irritable mood, even though in the majority of cases it was not associated with DSM-IV diagnoses. Among cardiac patients, those with type A behaviour were less depressed, demoralised and worried about their illness. Conclusions: Type A behaviour was found to occur in about a third of cases of patients with cardiovascular disease. Only in a limited number of cases was it associated with depression. It has a lifestyle connotation that may have important clinical consequences as to stress vulnerability and illness behaviour.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84865224989&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84865224989&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.02993.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.02993.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 22897462
AN - SCOPUS:84865224989
VL - 66
SP - 854
EP - 861
JO - International Journal of Clinical Practice
JF - International Journal of Clinical Practice
SN - 1368-5031
IS - 9
ER -