Objective: Temperament has its origin in brain structure and individual differences in temperament are attributable to differences in neural and physiological functions in which the roles of stress and sympathetic-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity are well documented (1). It has been suggested that temperament is associated with metabolic syndrome(MetS) markers and this association may be partly mediated by lifestyle factors and socio-economic status in adulthood (2). Considering the fact that bipolar patients are in high risk group for MetS and serum lipid levels may be influenced seasonally, we aim to compare metabolic syndrome prevalence between different affective temperamental profiles for each seasons. Methods: 26 patients with bipolar I disorder, following in a specialized mood disorders outpatient unit, were evaluated for MetS diagnosis according to new IDF definition in four seasons of a year and temperaments were evaluated with TEMPS-A. Results: Proportions of MetS were 19,2% , 23,1% , 34,6% and 38,5 respectively in summer, autumn, spring & winter,.Anxious temperament scores were significantly higher during autumn (p=0,02) and depressive temperament scores were significantly higher (p=0,002) during winter in patients with MetS.Conclusion: These data suggest that anxious and depressive temperament profiles may predispose an individual to the development of the MetS in autumn and winter, respectively. Spesific temperament factors may increase exposure to stressors; affect appraisal of stressors, thereby modulating physiological responses to stress; and be markers of the same biological processes that underlie the development of high levels of metabolic risk factors (3).
References: 1.KirschbaumC,BartussekD,StrasburgerCJ.Cortisolresponsestopsychologicalstressandcorrelationswithpersonalitytraits.Per IndivDiffer.1992;13:1353–1357.
2.SovioU,KingV,MiettunenJ,EkE,LaitinenJ,JoukamaaM,VeijolaJ,JärvelinMR.Cloninger'sTemperamentdimensions,socio-economicandlifestylefactorsandmetabolicsyndromemarkersatage31yearsintheNorthernFinland BirthCohort1966.JHealthPsychol.2007Mar;12(2):371-82.