Alexithymia and asthma - 13/04/16
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Résumé |
Introduction |
Alexithymia refers to difficulties in verbal expression of emotions, commonly observed in patients with psychosomatic symptoms. In this context, asthma is described as one of psychosomatic diseases.
Objectives |
Identify clinical profile of asthmatic patients and assess the alexithymia level as well as associated factors.
Methods |
We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study, including 30 patients followed for asthma at pulmonary outpatient department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, during September and October 2015. We collected socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Asthma control level was assessed by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Alexithymia was measured using Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS 20).
Results |
The mean age was 51ans. Sex-ratio F/M was 14. The mean duration of disease was 11years. Long-term control medicines were: inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta agonists and theophylline respectively in 86.7%, 33.3% and 26.7%. Two thirds of our patients had a bad therapeutic adherence. The average ACT score was 16.8 points. Asthma was uncontrolled in 1/3 and well controlled in 1/3 of cases. The average TAS 20 score was 64.8 points. Twenty percent of patients were non-alexithymic, 13.3% had a probable alexithymia and 66.7% were alexithymic. This score was positively correlated to bad asthma control (P<0.001), long term evolution (P=0.002) and use of inhaled corticoids (P<0.001). It was inversely correlated to ACT score (P<0.001).
Conclusion |
Our study shows the high prevalence of alexithymia in patients with asthma and its negative impact in asthma control. Psychological support aiming specifically alexithymic dimension in these patients is indispensable.
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Vol 33 - N° S
P. S145-S146 - mars 2016 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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