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EPA-1776 - Alexithymia, Depression, Anxiety Levels and Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

A. Kucuk
Affiliation:
Rheumatology, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
A. Balkarli
Affiliation:
Rheumatology, Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey
F. Kayhan
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, Mevlana University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
O. Nas
Affiliation:
Physical therapy and rehabilitation, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
N. Ozhan
Affiliation:
Internal medicine, Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey
A.Y. Karahan
Affiliation:
Physical therapy and rehabilitation, Beyhekim State Hospital, Konya, Turkey
T. Gungor
Affiliation:
Physical therapy and rehabilitation, Necmettin Erbakan University Facult of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
S. Kucuksen
Affiliation:
Physical therapy and rehabilitation, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey

Abstract

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Objective

The aim of the study was level of anxiety, depression and alexithymia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Introduction

Alexithymia is defined as the difficulty in verbal expression of feelings. Alexithymia is more common seen in patients with chronic and temporary health problems.

Method

One hundred forty eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a hundred healthy subject were included into the study. The level of alexithymia was assessed with Toronto Alexithymia Scale- 20 (TAS-20). Depression and anxiety disorders severity and quality of life (QoL) were assessed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment- Brief (WHOQoL-BREF), respectively.

Results

TAS-20 scores in patients group was higher than control group. The patients with rheumatoid arthritis had significantly poorer scores in all domains of WHOQoL-BREF (p<0.001). BDI and BAI scores were greater than control group. There was no significant difference between patients with or without alexithymia in terms of sociodemographic features, treatment and scales scores.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that alexithymia is more common in patients with RA. Treatment of alexithymia may improve QoL, depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Type
P06 - Consultation Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatics
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2014
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