The Millon Behavioral Health Inventory Life Threat Reactivity Scale as a predictor of mortality in patients awaiting heart transplantation.

Abstract

This study examined the Millon Behavioral Health Inventory Life Threat Reactivity Scale (LTRS) as a predictor of mortality in patients awaiting heart transplantation. The one-year mortality while awaiting cardiac transplantation was more than double for the high-risk group based on the LTRS scores. The high-risk group had a 42% mortality rate versus an 18% mortality rate in the low-risk group. Mortality for those patients that received transplants was similar for both groups. A review of the medical literature regarding the role of personality traits in cardiac mortality and the findings of this study are discussed.