Personality traits and metabolic control: a study in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.
BACKGROUND
In the present study the authors evaluated the relationship between personality traits (according to DSM-III-R) and poor metabolic control in an adult onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus sample (n = 77).


METHODS
Personality traits were assessed with the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire--Revised. Metabolic control was evaluated through glycosilated hemoglobin (HbA1c): poor metabolic control was defined as HbA1c > or = 9% (normal values < 6.0%).


RESULTS
Principal Component Analysis revealed three personality profiles: 'Cluster A/C Mixed', 'Cluster B Dependent' and 'Cluster B Aggressive'. Oneway ANCOVA, using sex as covariate, revealed a significant association (p = 0.01) only between poor metabolic control and Cluster B Dependent profile. No correlation was found between HbA1c and the other profiles.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that a specific personality profile is associated with poor metabolic control.
Orlandini
A
A
Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Istituto Scientifico Ospedale San Raffaele, University of Milan School of Medicine, Italy.
Pastore
M R
MR
Fossati
A
A
Clerici
S
S
Sergi
A
A
Balini
A
A
Maffei
C
C
Secchi
A
A
Pozza
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin