LAUSR

Objective The aim of our study was to determine correlations between psychological status and quality of life with left ventricular mass index and mean ambulatory blood pressure variables in patients with arterial hypertension (AH). Design and method We analyzed 76 ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data of AH patients without serious concomitant diseases. ABPM device (Spacelabs 90207) was applied after the washout period. After ABPM session patients completed the questionnaires. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (L. Teichholtz et al., 1976) was measured using echocardiography. We assessed the following QL scale scores (General Well-Being Questionnaire by J.Siegrist et al.): I - physical well-being, II - physical performance, III - positive psychological well-being, IV - negative psychological well-being, V - psychological performance, VI - social well-being, VII - social performance. We analyzed the following MMPI scale scores (Minnesota Multiphasis Personality Inventory): L – lie scale, F – aggravation scale, K – correction scale, 1 – hypochondria, 2 – depression, 3 – hysteria, 4 – psychopathy, 6 – rigidity of affect, 7 – psychasthenia, 8 – schrizothemia, 9 – hypomania. We used Spearman Partial Coefficient for correlation analysis adjusted for age, sex and duration of AH. Results The mean ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) was 136.1 ± 11.2; diastolic (DBP) −89.1 ± 9.0 mm Hg (M ± SD). LVMI – 122,1 ± 24,9 g/m2. We found the following correlations: 1) 9 MMPI scale scores (energy, optimism, good mood) were negatively correlated with LVMI (r = −0.33, p < 0.05); 2) 9 MMPI scale scores had the negative relationships with clinical and ambulatory SBP levels (r = −0.23, r = −0.24 respectively, p < 0.05) and with SBP load variables (r = −0.25, p < 0.05). There were no significant links between QL scales scores and LVMI, ambulatory BP indices.Thus, energy, optimism, good mood (9 MMPI scale scores) had a negative correlation not only with LVMI, but also to SBP indices. Conclusions It was identified inverse correlation between psychological status (energy, optimism, good mood) and LVMI indices, and also with clinical and ambulatory SBP variables of AH patients. There were no significant links between QL scales scores and LVMI, ambulatory BP indices.