Alexithymia and self-reflectiveness in bronchial asthma.
The aim of the study was to investigate the role of alexithymia in bronchial asthma (BA) patients with low respiratory functioning hypothesizing that it could be used to differentiate a group of patients with clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms. We also aimed to investigate whether alexithymia was associated with reduced cognitive insight. Patients (n=153) were administered the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). Alexithymia could help differentiate a group of patients with low respiratory functioning. Twenty-two percent of patients included in this subsample had airway obstruction, and 51% reported severe alexithymia. Patients with severe airway obstruction and high alexithymia (compared to other patients) also reported higher self-reflectiveness, and more depressive symptoms. Clinicians have to be aware of the presence of a subgroup of asthma patients with low respiratory functioning who report severe alexithymia. These patients often report moderate to severe depression and frequent doubts about one's own beliefs.
Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology and Genetics, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Italy.
Marco
M
Innamorati
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
Alfredo
A
Chetta
Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University of Parma, Italy.
Camilla
C
Antonucci
Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University of Parma, Italy.
Elena
E
Bettini
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
Marina
M
Aiello
Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University of Parma, Italy.
Arianna
A
Montali
Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University of Parma, Italy.
Chiara
C
Parisoli
Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology and Genetics, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Italy.
Martino
M
Belvederi Murri
Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Functions, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Roberto
R
Brugnoli
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
Roberta
R
Pisi
Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Functions, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Maurizio
M
Pompili
Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology and Genetics, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Italy.
Mario
M
Amore
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001364:Awareness; D015897:Comorbidity; D003243:Consciousness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests