A longitudinal study of alexithymia and psychological distress in inflammatory bowel disease

Author(s): Leoci, C., Guerra, V., Taylor, G. J., Bagby, R. M.

Journal/Book: J Psychosom Res. 1996; 41: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England OX5 1GB. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 569-573.

Abstract: A group of 104 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was followed longitudinally for 6 months. While anxiety and depression scores were influenced over time by changes in the level of disease activity, there was no significant change in alexithymia scores. The findings support the contention that alexithymia is a stable personality characteristic in some IBD patients, in contrast to anxiety and depression which are state phenomena influenced by the level of disease activity.

Note: Article Porcelli P, Ist Sci Gastroenterol S de Bellis, Via Valente 4, I-70013 Castellana Grotte, ITALY

Keyword(s): alexithymia; inflammatory bowel disease; ULCERATIVE-COLITIS; VALIDATION; SCALE; NERVOSA; ANXIETY

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