LAUSR

This study aimed to evaluate impact of distressed (D type) personality on preoperative psychological distress, cognitive functioning and quality of life (QoL) as well as short-term and long-term treatment outcomes of glioma patients. One-hundred and seventy patients (93 men, mean age=51.1±14.5 years) participated in the study. Fifty-four (31.8%) patients were diagnosed with low grade (WHO grade I-II), and 116 (68.2%) with high grade (WHO grade III-IV) tumors. Psychological assessment was performed 2–3 days before surgery using a set of self-report questionnaires (NCCN Distress thermometer, EORTC-QLQ-C30, EORTCQLQ-BN20, HADS, DS-14) and a short battery of neuropsychological tests. Functional status at the discharge was assessed using the GOS. Follow-up period was 40 months. Thirty-nine (22.9%) of patients met criteria for D type personality. D-type patients relative to non D-type patients reported significantly worse QoL, higher number tumor related symptoms, greater depression and anxiety symptoms, and demonstrated slowing of psychomotor speed in neuropsychological tests. However, no personality related differences were observed in level of functioning at time of discharge as well as long-term patients’ survival. Path analysis using SEM revealed non-direct impact of D-type personality traits on patients QoL (Chi-square value=16.73, df=13, p=0.212). The model indicated statistically significant indirect effects of D-type Negative Affectivity on QoL (IPC -0.285, 95% CI [-0.386; -0.178], p=0.003) and tumor related symptoms (IPC 0.196, 95% CI [0.117; 0.296], p=0.002) mediated via depression and anxiety. Social Inhibition was also indirectly associated with QoL (IPC -0.047, 95% CI [-0.120; -0.002], p=0.035) and symptoms (IPC 0.033, 95% CI [0.002; 0.097], p=0.032) through depression and anxiety. D-type personality contributes to impairment of QoL and higher number of reported symptoms in glioma patients via increased susceptibility for depression and anxiety.