Type A behavior pattern, risk propensity and empathy in young professionally active patients with bronchial asthma

INTRODUCTION: Type A behavior pattern is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It is a learned way to respond to stress. The capability of empathy and impulsiveness is an important element of functioning of the human being. AIM: To assess the degree of bronchial asthma control in the context of the intensity of type A pattern of behavior, Impulsivity, Risk Propensity and Empathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved examination of 150 subjects, including 111 with asthma of different degrees of control, all of whom were young, professionally active people. Two validated questionnaires (IVE Impulsivity Questionnaire and Type A Scale) were used to assess the correlation between the degrees of asthma control and type A behavior pattern, Empathy, Impulsivity and Risk Propensity. RESULTS: The level of type A behavior pattern was significantly higher in the subjects with poorly controlled asthma as compared with those with partially controlled and well-controlled asthma and with healthy subjects. Impulsivity and Risk Propensity were higher in the group with poorly controlled asthma compared with the other analyzed groups. Empathy was lower in the group with poorly controlled asthma than in the other analyzed groups. There was no difference in the intensity of the analyzed mental variables between persons with partially controlled and well-controlled asthma and people without bronchial asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Poor control of asthma may be associated with type A behavior pattern and high impulsivity and risk propensity.