Alexithymia in chronic pain patients

Author(s): Asselin, L. A., Norman, S.

Journal/Book: Compr Psychiat. 1997; 38: Independence Square West, Curtis Center, Ste 300, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3399. W B Saunders Co. 160-165.

Abstract: Prior studies of alexithymia in chronic pain patients have used unvalidated alexithymia measures or have not controlled for treatment-seeking status. In this study, we compared 30 patients with chronic pain and patients seeking treatment for two other problems: nicotine dependence (n = 32) or moderate obesity (n = 25). Alexithymia was assessed with the well-validated Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) and also with the Alexithymia Provoked Response Questionnaire (APRQ). On both alexithymia measures, chronic pain patients were more alexithymic than nicotine-dependent and obese patients; the latter two groups did not differ. Chronic pain patients had greater psychopathology on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventary-2 (MMPI-2), and both alexithymia measures correlated positively with certain types of psychopathology. We conclude that alexithymia is increased among patients with chronic pain, that this relationship is not confounded by a treatment seeking bias, and that alexithymia may contribute to both chronic pain and psychopathology.

Note: Article Lumley MA, Wayne State Univ, Dept Psychol, 71 W Warren Ave, Detroit,MI 48202 USA

Keyword(s): IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME; CRITERION VALIDITY; SYMBOLIC FUNCTION; SCALE; DISORDER; CONSTRUCT; SYMPTOMS; PERSONALITY; PREVALENCE; VALIDATION

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