Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in western industrialized countries and account for disability and loss of productivity. Type D personality and depression are established psychosocial factors with a negative impact on prognosis following acute events.

We evaluated 65 patients admitted to a coronary unit with ACS regarding type D personality (DS-14), depression (BDI-II, HADS), anxiety (HADS), clinical depression (clinical interview following DSM-IV-TR criteria) and quality of life (SF-36). SPSS 12.0 was used for statistical analysis and significance considered for p< 0.05.

We found that 38.5% of patients had type D personality and divided the sample into two groups. No significant differences were found regarding social and demographic factors but differences were found regarding diagnosis on admission: type D patients had more AMI with ST elevation (p< 0.05). Type D patients had significantly higher scores in depression and anxiety scales of the HADS (p< 0.01) and worse quality of life in most SF-36 subscales (p< 0.01). There was a negative and significant correlation between the HADS and all the SF-36 subscales, strongest in the mental health subscale (p< 0.01).

Type D patients have higher indices of anxiety and depression and worse quality of life when compared with other patients, and constitute a high risk group of worse prognosis. Our results also suggest differences between groups regarding the type of acute event but these results require further confirmation.