Externally Oriented Thinking Predicts Phosphorus Levels in Dialyzed Patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between alexithymia scores and biological markers of adherence in dialyzed patients. The hypothesis was that higher scores of alexithymia would be associated with lower adherence to treatment.


METHODS
Fifty-four adult dialyzed patients were enrolled during a follow-up visit. Participants were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire, namely, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Moreover, biological markers levels of adherence to treatment (phosphorus, creatinine, and serum uric acid) were measured.


RESULTS
A positive correlation was found between phosphorous levels and TAS-F2 (r = 0.28; P = .04) and TAS-F3 (r = -0.31; P = .02). Stepwise regression with TAS-F2 and TAS-F3 as predictors of adherence to treatment showed a significant model, adjusted R(2) = 0.08, F(1,52) = 5.4; P < .02, where only TAS-F3 was able to predict phosphorous levels (P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings showed that external oriented thinking was able to predict a biological marker of adherence to treatment in dialyzed patients.
Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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C
Lai
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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P
Aceto
Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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M
Luciani
Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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E
Fazzari
Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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V
Cesari
Nomentano Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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S
Luciano
Nomentano Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy.
A
A
Fortini
Nomentano Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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D
Berloco
Nomentano Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy.
F
F
Canulla
Department of Surgery, Transplantation Service, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
R
R
Calia
Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: silvia.lai@uniroma1.it.
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S
Lai
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000032:analysis; D003956:Dialysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D014527:Uric Acid; D010758:Phosphorus; D003404:Creatinine