The effect of type D personality on health-related quality of life in patients that underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a preliminary study

Objective: In contrast to studies investigating the relationship between personality traits with upper gastrointestinal problems, studies investigating the relationship of personality traits and quality of life in these patients are limited. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between D-type personality and health-related quality of life in patients that underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-eight patients over eighteen years of age who had been admitted to the general surgery policlinic for gastrointestinal complaints and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included to our study. First, a sociodemographic questionnaire was given to the patients. Then General Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) was given to assess health-related quality of life. Finally, Type D Scale (DS14) was used for D-type personality traits. Type D Scale has two subscales: negative affect and social inhibition.

Results: Ninety-one patients (45.9%) met the criteria for D-type personality (negative affect and social inhibition). One hundred and forty-two patients (71.7%) met the criteria of negative affect subscale of the Type D scale. One hundred and seven (54%) patients met the criteria of social inhibition subscale of the Type D scale.

Conclusion: Patients admitted to the general surgery department due to gastrointestinal complaints should be examined in the psychiatry department to be evaluated in terms of type D personality.