Alexithymia is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, but does not predict endoscopy outcome in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Alexithymia, where a person has difficulty in distinguishing between emotions and bodily sensations, is considered to be a character trait and a vulnerability factor for various psychosomatic disorders. Assessing alexithymia in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms before endoscopy might therefore be useful in selecting patients who are more prone to functional GI disorders.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether alexithymia might be a useful factor in predicting GI endoscopy outcomes.


METHODS
Patients referred for endoscopy between February 2002 and February 2004 were enrolled. They were asked to report alexithymia on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 2 weeks before endoscopy. Information about endoscopic diagnoses was obtained from medical files.


RESULTS
A total of 1141 subjects was included (49% male), of whom 245 (21%) reported alexithymia. There was no difference in mean+/-SD alexithymia scores between patients with (51+/-12) and without (50+/-12) an endoscopic organic abnormality at GI endoscopy. When divided into subgroups, according to the most prominent finding at either upper or lower GI endoscopy, there was no association with alexithymia. Patients with alexithymia reported a worse sensation of GI symptoms during the last weeks before enrollment in the study (mean+/-SD symptom severity score: 42+/-34 vs. 34+/-30, respectively; P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Alexithymia is not associated with endoscopic findings, and has therefore no additive value in predicting endoscopy outcomes. Patients with alexithymia more often present with a higher number and more severe GI symptoms.
van Kerkhoven
Lieke A S
LA
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. L.vanKerkhoven@MDL.umcn.nl
van Rossum
Leo G M
LG
van Oijen
Martijn G H
MG
Tan
Adriaan C I T L
AC
Witteman
Ellen M
EM
Laheij
Robert J F
RJ
Jansen
Jan B M J
JB
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis