A study on Chinese patients with chronic heart failure: effects of Type D personality on anxiety, depression, social support and quality of life

AIM:To explore effects of Type D personality on anxiety, depression, social support and quality of life in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: According to the Type D personality Scale (DS14), 150 patients with CHF were divided into Type D personality group and non-Type D personality group. Both groups were investigated with the General Health Questionnaire, Zungs Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) before receiving treatment. RESULTS: ①34.0%, 36.7% and 46.7% patients with CHF were Type D personality, anxiety and depression, respectively. ② The positive detectable rates of anxiety and depression in Type D personality group (70.6%, 80.4%, respectively) were higher than those in non-Type D personality group (19.2%, 29.3%, respectively, all P<0.01); The score of SSRS in Type D personality group (34.00±7.18) was significantly lower than in non-Type D personality group (41.57±7.61, P<0.01). The score of MLHFQ in Type D personality group (58.61±17.12) was significantly higher than in non-Type D personality group (36.67±17.63, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: A Chinese sample of CHF patients with Type D personality suffer more from anxiety and depression, receive less social support, and have a lower level of quality of life.