Relationship of psychosocial risk factors, certain personality traits and myocardial infarction in Indians: A case-control study

• Main Authors: Rajni Gupta, Jugal Kishore, Yogesh Bansal, M K Daga, R C Jiloha, Rajeev Singal, G K Ingle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Community Medicine
• Subjects: Myocardial infarction; New Delhi; personality; psychosocial risk
• Online Access: http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2011;volume=36;issue=3;spage=182;epage=186;aulast=Gupta

Objective: To investigate the relationship of psychosocial factors (lack of social support, stress and subjective well-being) and personality traits with myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and Methods: A case-control study involving 100 cases and 100 matched controls was conducted in Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. Results: Stress over 1 year was significantly higher in cases (P < 0.001). However, difference was not significant when scores of social support (P = 0.2), Presumptive Stressful Life Event (PSLE) over lifetime (P = 0.058) and subjective well-being (P = 0.987) were compared. MI was significantly associated with hyperactive (P < 0.001), dominant (P = 0.03), egoistic (P < 0.001) and introvert (P < 0.001) personalities. Conclusion: Certain personality traits and recent stress may be important risk factors of MI, especially in Indians. The finding may have implications on the preventive strategies planned for MI patients.