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Metabolomics profiling of Type D personality traits

Li-Gao R, Bot M, Kurilshikov A, Willemsen G, van Greevenbroek MMJ, Schram MMT, Stehouwer CDA, Fu J et al.

Journal of psychosomatic research, 2025

10,834 participants · 2 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Type D (Distressed) personality combines negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) and is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we examined the association of Type D traits with 230 (predominantly) lipid metabolites and metabolite ratios.

METHODS: Four Dutch cohorts were included, comprising 10,834 individuals. Type D personality traits were measured by self-report questionnaires. A proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics platform provided 149 absolute measures (98 belonging to lipoprotein subclasses) and 81 derived ratios. For all, linear regression analyses were performed within each cohort, followed by random-effects meta-analyses. A per-measure FDR q-value<0.05 was set as a study-wise significant association.

RESULTS: SI was significantly associated with a lower omega-3 fatty acids to total fatty acids (FAw3.FA%) ratio, and a lower free cholesterol to total lipids ratio in very small VLDL (XS.VLDL.FC%). FAw3.FA% was also associated to NA (no study-wise significance though). NA showed a suggestive replication (p-value<.05) of the previous reported associations with depression for 5 out of 18 metabolites from the same metabolomics platform: triglycerides in HDL, serum total triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, mean diameter for VLDL particles and VLDL triglycerides.

CONCLUSIONS: In this large meta-analysis, SI was associated with omega-3 fatty acids to total fatty acids ratio, which is suggestive of lower…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 10,834 participants or records.

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