title: Trait antagonism and the progression of arterial thickening: women with antagonistic traits have similar carotid arterial thickness as men.
abstract: A large body of evidence links antagonism-related traits with cardiovascular outcomes, but less is known about how psychological traits are associated with intermediate markers of cardiovascular disease. Using a large, community-based sample from Sardinia, Italy (n=5614), this study examined how trait antagonism (low agreeableness) and its facets are associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness, a measure of arterial thickening. Controlling for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, low agreeableness and, in particular, low straightforwardness and low compliance, were associated with greater carotid thickening, measured concurrently and prospectively, and with increases in intima-media thickness over 3 years. Indeed, those in the bottom 10% of agreeableness had a 40% increase in risk for elevated intima-media thickness. Although men have thicker arterial walls, women with antagonistic traits had similar carotid thickening as antagonistic men. Antagonistic individuals, especially those who are manipulative and aggressive, have greater increases in arterial thickening, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
authors: National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and HumanServices, Baltimore, MD 21224. sutina@mail.nih.gov
authors: Angelina R
authors: AR
authors: Sutin
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Scuteri
authors: Edward G
authors: EG
authors: Lakatta
authors: Kirill V
authors: KV
authors: Tarasov
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Ferrucci
authors: Paul T
authors: PT
authors: Costa
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Schlessinger
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Uda
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Terracciano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol