Coronary-prone behaviors in the Western Collaborative Group Study.
Two-hundred-fifty CHD cases and 500 matched controls from the Western Collaborative Group Study were studied to assess the 8.5-yr prospective relationship of specific behavioral dimensions to the incidence of coronary heart disease. Type A structured interviews administered at intake were reevaluated in terms of 12 operationally defined components, which include previously described facets of the Type A behavior pattern. Univariate risk analyses using the matched logistic model found hostility (RR = 1.92, p less than 0.001), speaking rate (RR = 1.66, p = 0.003), immediateness (RR = 1.62, p = 0.009), competitiveness (RR = 1.50, p = 0.013), and Type A content (RR = 1.38, p = 0.045) to be significantly related to CHD incidence. Of these, only hostility remained a significant risk factor (RR = 1.93, p less than 0.001) when all 12 components were included in the model. The original Type A global ratings and traditional CHD risk factors were also analyzed in conjunction with the components. The Type A behavior pattern comprises both benign and coronary-prone facets, with the latter most exemplified by hostility.
Hecker
M H
MH
Department of Behavioral Medicine, SRI International, Menlo Park, California.
Chesney
M A
MA
Black
G W
GW
Frautschi
N
N
D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology; D010556:Personality Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014434:Type A Personality