Type A eagerness-energy across developmental periods predicts adulthood carotid intima-media thickness: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the Type A behavior across developmental periods as a predictor of adult carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT).


RESULTS
In this prospective cohort study of 408 men and 606 women, socioeconomic background and biological risk factors of participants were assessed at baseline at age 6 to 18 years of age, Type A behavior (Hunter-Wolf A-B Rating Scale) at the 6-, 9-, and 21-year follow-ups (subjects being 12 to 24, 15 to 27, and 27 to 39 years, respectively), and carotid IMT, adulthood socioeconomic situation, and biological risk factors at the 21-year follow-up when participants were at age 27 to 39 years of age. In men, the eagerness-energy component of Type A behavior, measured at any time point, was associated with thicker carotid IMT (P<0.008, P<0.04, P<0.03, and P<0.02 for the first, second, and third assessment, and for the average score, respectively), and this association was independent of early and adult risk factors. In women, the hard-driving component at baseline (P<0.04) but not later was independently related to thinner carotid IMT. The other components of Type A behavior (impatience-aggression and leadership) were not associated with IMT.


CONCLUSIONS
Eagerness-energy component of Type A behavior over different developmental transitions seems to be a robust predictor of IMT in men.
Keltikangas-Järvinen
Liisa
L
Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, Finland. Liisa.Keltikangas-Jarvinen@helsinki.fi
Hintsa
Taina
T
Kivimäki
Mika
M
Puttonen
Sampsa
S
Juonala
Markus
M
Viikari
Jorma S A
JS
Raitakari
Olli T
OT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*; D014434:Type A Personality