Type D personality and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Background: Some studies indicate that psychological factors and extra-intestinal symptoms affect health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) more than what bowel symptoms themselves. Type D personality characterized by global traits including negative affectivity and social inhibition has been proposed to be related to HRQoL. The aim of this study was to determine the association between type D personality and HRQoL inpatients with IBS.

Methods: 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 inclusion and exclusion 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. The data was analyzed using ANCOVA and multiple regression.

Results: The findings indicated that 40.7% of the patients had type D personality. The results of ANCOVA with controlling 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 < 0.01), severity of symptoms (ß = 0.279, p = 0.000) and duration of treatment (ß =-0.189, p < 0.05) as the significant predictors for HRQoL in patients with IBS.

Conclusions: Type D personality may be an important determinant of individual differences in HRQoL among 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.