OBJECTIVES: Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by a limited ability to identify and express emotions and it represents a possible risk factor for disease development and management. The objective of the study is to evaluate alexithymia in patients with persistent asthma and comorbid rhinitis and its relation with patient-reported outcomes (PROs). METHODS: Alexithymia, quality of life, illness perception, and stress were assessed, as well as rhinitis symptoms and asthma control in out-patients classified according to GINA and ARIA guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 115 patients, 19% turned out to be alexithymic (TAS-20 ≥ 61). Concerning alexithymia level, no difference was detected between males and females (χ(2) = 0.317) and among GINA levels (χ(2) = 0.22). Alexithymics had significantly lower Asthma Control Test scores when compared with non-alexithymics (15.86 vs. 19; p = .02). Alexithymics had a worse quality of life (p< .001) and, concerning illness perception, they ascribed to respiratory allergy symptoms that are not strictly disease related and referred to asthma and rhinitis more serious negative consequences (p < .001) and emotional representations (p < .035). Moreover, they had lower illness coherence (p < .001) and lived their disease as a cyclical rather than a chronic disorder (p < .035). As regards stress, alexithymics reported less energy (p < .001), higher levels of tension (p < .001), depression (p < .001), confusion (p > .001), and inertia (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Alexithymia is present in a relevant percentage of subjects and, as it can modulate illness perception, quality of life, and stress, it should be considered in disease management.

Pitfalls in respiratory allergy management: alexithymia and its impact on patient-reported outcomes / I., Baiardini; F., Braido; G., Ferraioli; S., Menoni; M., Bruzzone; Conte, M. E.; F., Gani; Ridolo, Erminia; A., Scordamaglia; Canonica, G. W.. - In: THE JOURNAL OF ASTHMA. - ISSN 0277-0903. - 48:(2011), pp. 25-32. [10.3109/02770903.2010.535883]

Pitfalls in respiratory allergy management: alexithymia and its impact on patient-reported outcomes.

RIDOLO, Erminia;
2011-01-01

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by a limited ability to identify and express emotions and it represents a possible risk factor for disease development and management. The objective of the study is to evaluate alexithymia in patients with persistent asthma and comorbid rhinitis and its relation with patient-reported outcomes (PROs). METHODS: Alexithymia, quality of life, illness perception, and stress were assessed, as well as rhinitis symptoms and asthma control in out-patients classified according to GINA and ARIA guidelines. RESULTS: Out of 115 patients, 19% turned out to be alexithymic (TAS-20 ≥ 61). Concerning alexithymia level, no difference was detected between males and females (χ(2) = 0.317) and among GINA levels (χ(2) = 0.22). Alexithymics had significantly lower Asthma Control Test scores when compared with non-alexithymics (15.86 vs. 19; p = .02). Alexithymics had a worse quality of life (p< .001) and, concerning illness perception, they ascribed to respiratory allergy symptoms that are not strictly disease related and referred to asthma and rhinitis more serious negative consequences (p < .001) and emotional representations (p < .035). Moreover, they had lower illness coherence (p < .001) and lived their disease as a cyclical rather than a chronic disorder (p < .035). As regards stress, alexithymics reported less energy (p < .001), higher levels of tension (p < .001), depression (p < .001), confusion (p > .001), and inertia (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Alexithymia is present in a relevant percentage of subjects and, as it can modulate illness perception, quality of life, and stress, it should be considered in disease management.
2011
Pitfalls in respiratory allergy management: alexithymia and its impact on patient-reported outcomes / I., Baiardini; F., Braido; G., Ferraioli; S., Menoni; M., Bruzzone; Conte, M. E.; F., Gani; Ridolo, Erminia; A., Scordamaglia; Canonica, G. W.. - In: THE JOURNAL OF ASTHMA. - ISSN 0277-0903. - 48:(2011), pp. 25-32. [10.3109/02770903.2010.535883]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2351273
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