The Effect of Type D Personality on Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Introduction: The Type D personality was reported as an important indicator of adverse clinical outcomes and quality of life in various diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between the Type D personality and clinical features and the effect of Type D personality on quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Seventy-four patients with MS participated in this study. Clinical parameters of the patients were recorded and disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Patients were examined with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Type D Scale (DS14), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results: BDI and BAI scores were significantly higher and mental subscale of the SF-36 scores were significantly lower in Type D compared to nonType D (p<0.001, p=0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). The total DS14 scores were found to be positively correlated with EDSS, BDI, and BAI and negatively correlated with SF-36 mental subscale (p=0.02, p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that the total DS14 score was independently associated with the mental component of SF-36 (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The Type D personality traits may worsen the quality of life, particularly the mental component, in patients with MS. Consequently, the assessment of MS patients by brief and valid DS14 may be valuable for clinical practice.