Alexithymia and asthma

Abstract

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 51 ans. Sex-ratio F/M was 14. The mean duration of disease was 11 years. 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.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.