The impact of type D personality on the quality of life and on microangiopathic and macroangiopathic complications in outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction In 2015, the worldwide point prevalence for diabetes mellitus was 8.8%. Type D personality was found as being more prevalent in type 2 diabetes than in the general population. Objectives We aimed to reveal the frequency of type D personality and to analyze the impact of type D personality on both quality of life and angiopathic complications, in patients with type 2 diabetes from our region. Methods A cross-sectional research was performed on 79 outpatients that were monitored for diabetes mellitus at Timisoara diabetes, nutrition and metabolic diseases clinic. Type D personality was assessed with the DS-14 scale. Quality of life was quantified by using the Q-LES-Q-SF scale (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form). The angiopathic complications were abstracted from medical records. Results Type D personality was present in 38 subjects with diabetes mellitus (48.10%). Compared to those without type D personality, patients with type D personality and diabetes had significant lower mean scores for the following domains of the Q-LES-Q-SF scale: social relationships ( P P  = 0.027), sexual activity ( P  = 0.005), to get around physically ( P P  = 0.008) and raw score ( P  = 0.003). Type D personality did not make any difference regarding micro and macroangiopathic complications of type 2 diabetes patients. Conclusions Type D personality, a highly frequent entity, did not make the difference with respect to diabetic complications; however, it may interfere significantly with several facets of the quality of life of these patients. These results should be taken into account for an interdisciplinary approach to these patients.