Alexithymia, anxiety and depression in patients with idiopathic generalized pruritus Idiyopatik Jeneralize Pruritus Hastalarinda Aleksitimi, Anksiyete ve Depresyon
Ankara Medical Journal, cilt.18, sa.3, ss.648-657, 2019 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2019
- Doi Numarası: 10.17098/amj.624491
- Dergi Adı: Ankara Medical Journal
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.648-657
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Alexithymia, Anxiety, Depression, Pruritus
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objectives: Idiopathic generalized pruritus (IGP) is a condition characterized by persistent and generalized pruritus without clinical evidence of inflammation or skin diseases in seemingly healthy skin. Our knowledge about IGP is insufficient as relatively little research has been carried out on this disease. We aimed to assess the prevalence of alexithymia and its association with anxiety and depression in patients with IGP compared with control subjects. Materials and Methods: The study sample was formed by 35 patients with IGP and 40 control subjects. All the participants were interviewed by using a semi-structured socio-demographic form and all the modules of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I). Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were applied to the participants. Results: Patients with IGP had significantly higher TAS-20 score compared with controls. There was no difference between two groups in terms of BDI and BAI scores. BDI score was positive correlated with TAS-20 and DIF (difficulty in identifying feelings) scores, while BAI score was positive correlated with TAS-20, DIF, DDF (difficulty in describing feelings) and EOT (externally oriented thinking) as well. Conclusion: The alexithymia prevalence was higher in patients with IGP than that in control subjects, while it was positively correlated with anxiety and depression scores in IGP group. Although larger studies are required, alexithymia and its relationship with depression and anxiety should be taken into consideration while evaluating the patients with IGP.