EFFECTS OF PERSONALITY ON METABOLIC CONTROL IN IDDM PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE- The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between poor metabolic control and maladaptive personality traits (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised) in an adult-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus sample group (n = 77). RESEARCH DESIGN END METHODS- Metabolic control was evaluated through glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)). Personality traits were assessed with the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised, a self-administered questionnaire. Residual pancreatic secretion (fasting serum C-peptide) was also evaluated. RESULTS- Principal components analysis revealed three personality profiles: ''withdrawn-suspicious'' (P1), ''dramatic-dependent'' (P2), and ''aggressive-irresponsible'' (P3). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that C-peptide levels and P2 personality profiles were significant and independent predictors of HbA(1c) plasma levels: P2 predicted high HbA(1c) values and C-peptide predicted low HbA(1c) levels. CONCLUSIONS- These data suggest that a P2 personality profile is a significant predictor of poor metabolic control.