Investigation of alexithymia in patients with functional dyspepsia

Enver Avci; Murat Aliyazicioglu

doi:10.5281/zenodo.10001578

Authors

Enver Avci Department of Gastroenterology, KTO Karatay University Medical School Medicana Affilated Hospital, Konya, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3065-2419
Murat Aliyazicioglu Department of Gastroenterology, Trabzon Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6981-5361

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10001578

Keywords:

Alexithymia, Dysppepsia, Toronto alexithymia scale

Abstract

Objective: In psychometric test scales, patients with a diagnosis of FD have higher scores for anxiety, depression, and somatization than those without. Alexithymia is difficulty in expressing emotions and is closely related to psychosomatic diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of alexithymia in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Material and methods: This study was conducted prospectively. Laboratory tests, ultrasonography and endoscopy were performed on the patients. TAS 20 questionnaire was applied to the patient and control groups. Statistical analyses were performed using SPPS v.27.0.

Results: A total of 80 subjects, 39 patients diagnosed with FD and 41 controls, were included in the study. The TAS-20 scale scores of the patient group were ≥61 in 13 (33.3%), 50-61 in 14 (35.9%), and below 50 in 12 (30.8%), with a mean of 56.2±11.3. In the control group, 1 (2.4%) was ≥61, 10 (24.4%) was between 50-61, 30 (73.2%) was below 50 and the mean was 46.2±5.9(p<0.001). TAS subscales were also significantly higher in the FD group.

Conclusions: Alexithymic personality structure should always be considered in patients diagnosed with FD. It can be explained to patients that the emotions they cannot express with words and behaviors are expressed in this way through the body. In this way, we believe that patients may give up their obsession with repeated endoscopies with the concern that I have an organic disease, and health care expenditures may be reduced.

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