OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome and the presence of metabolic syndrome components 
are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association 
between personality traits and metabolic syndrome remains controversial, and few 
studies have been conducted in East Asian populations.
METHODS: We measured personality traits using the Japanese version of the 
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Revised Short Form) and five metabolic 
syndrome components-elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, 
reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and 
elevated fasting glucose-in 1322 participants aged 51.1±12.7years old from 
Kakegawa city, Japan. Metabolic syndrome score (MS score) was defined as the 
number of metabolic syndrome components present, and metabolic syndrome as 
having the MS score of 3 or higher. We performed multiple logistic regression 
analyses to examine the relationship between personality traits and metabolic 
syndrome components and multiple regression analyses to examine the relationship 
between personality traits and MS scores adjusted for age, sex, education, 
income, smoking status, alcohol use, and family history of CVD and diabetes 
mellitus. We also examine the relationship between personality traits and 
metabolic syndrome presence by multiple logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS: "Extraversion" scores were higher in those with metabolic syndrome 
components (elevated waist circumference: P=0.001; elevated triglycerides: 
P=0.01; elevated blood pressure: P=0.004; elevated fasting glucose: P=0.002). 
"Extraversion" was associated with the MS score (coefficient=0.12, P=0.0003). No 
personality trait was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic 
syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: Higher "extraversion" scores were related to higher MS scores, but 
no personality trait was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic 
syndrome.