K Chahraoui1, J-M Pinoit, N Viegas, J Adnet, B Bonin, T Moreau. 1. Laboratoire de psychopathologie et de psychologie médicale, pôle AAFE, université de Bourgogne, esplanade Erasme, 21000 Dijon, France. Khadija.Chahraoui@u-bourgogne.fr
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the prevalence of alexithymia in multiple sclerosis and examines the links between alexithymia, depression and anxiety. METHOD: Sixty-one subjects aged between 18 and 60 years and suffering from multiple sclerosis took part in the study. The psychological assessment consisted of an interview with a psychologist and three questionnaires: the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: The prevalence of alexithymia was 42.5%, 34.4% for depression and 44.3% for anxiety (high and moderate level). The alexithymic subjects were more depressed and anxious. Results indicated positive correlations between anxiety (state and trait), depression and alexithymia scores. The various dimensions of alexithymia were found to be diversely correlated with anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point out the importance of anxiety in multiple sclerosis and the specificity of alexithymia.
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the prevalence of alexithymia in multiple sclerosis and examines the links between alexithymia, depression and anxiety. METHOD: Sixty-one subjects aged between 18 and 60 years and suffering from multiple sclerosis took part in the study. The psychological assessment consisted of an interview with a psychologist and three questionnaires: the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: The prevalence of alexithymia was 42.5%, 34.4% for depression and 44.3% for anxiety (high and moderate level). The alexithymic subjects were more depressed and anxious. Results indicated positive correlations between anxiety (state and trait), depression and alexithymia scores. The various dimensions of alexithymia were found to be diversely correlated with anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point out the importance of anxiety in multiple sclerosis and the specificity of alexithymia.
Authors: Samanta Simioni; Myriam Schluep; Nadège Bault; Giorgio Coricelli; Joerg Kleeberg; Renaud A Du Pasquier; Markus Gschwind; Patrik Vuilleumier; Jean-Marie Annoni Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-12-05 Impact factor: 3.240