Inverse association between hyperthymic affective temperament and coronary atherosclerosis: A coronary computed tomography angiography study

• Published in: Journal of psychosomatic research 2017-12, Vol.103, p.108-112
• Main Authors: Nemcsik, János, Vecsey-Nagy, Milán, Szilveszter, Bálint, Kolossváry, Márton, Karády, Júlia, László, Andrea, Kőrösi, Beáta, Nemcsik-Bencze, Zsófia, Gonda, Xénia, Merkely, Béla, Rihmer, Zoltán, Maurovich-Horvat, Pál
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Affective temperaments; Angiography; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - psychology; Behavior disorders; Bidirectionality; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Computed tomography; Computed Tomography Angiography - methods; Coronary artery; Coronary artery disease; Coronary Artery Disease - psychology; Coronary atherosclerosis; Coronary computed tomography angiography; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Heart diseases; Humans; Hyperthymic temperament score; Male; Medical history; Mental disorders; Middle Aged; Personality; Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data; Personality traits; Somatic symptoms; Temperament; Temperament - physiology; Tomography
• ISSN: 0022-3999; 1879-1360
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.10.013

A bidirectional relationship exists between psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular diseases, however less is known with regards to personality traits. Accumulating data suggest that affective temperaments are both associated with psychiatric and somatic diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the associations between different affective temperaments and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis. 200 consecutive patients referred to coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) due to suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were included in our study. Medical history and demographic parameters were recorded and all patients completed the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The presence of coronary artery disease was evaluated based on the CCTA images. 39 patients were free of any coronary atherosclerosis (CCTA-) and 161 had coronary atherosclerosis (CCTA+). Hyperthymic affective temperament score was higher in CCTA- subjects as compared to CCTA+ (13.1±3.0 vs 11.5±4.6, p=0.010, respectively). Hyperthymic affective temperament score showed a significant independent, inverse relationship with coronary atherosclerosis (OR: 0.91 CI: 0.82–0.99, p=0.04). Our results suggest that hyperthymic affective temperament is independently associated with the absence of CAD. It requires further research to delineate the mechanism mediating the effect of hyperthymia on better coronary artery health and establishing potential biochemical or behavioral factors, both of which could be exploited for prevention and treatment purposes. But it is plausible, that the evaluation of affective temperaments have importance both in relation with psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders. •Associations between temperaments and coronary atherosclerosis were evaluated.•Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was used.•Hyperthymic affective temperament inversely associated with coronary pathology.•Evaluation of affective temperaments can have somatic importance as well.