The prevalence of alexithymia and its relation to somatization and psychological distress in glaucoma patients

Abstract

Alexithymia is a personality trait associated with difficulty in identifying and describing feelings. Previous studies have demonstrated the co-occurrence of alexithymia with chronic physical conditions. The aim of the present study was: a) to examine the relationship of alexithymia with glaucoma-chronic eye condition, and b) to examine the relationship of alexithymia with psychopathological symptoms. Two samples of Greek participants have been considered: 41 glaucoma patients and 37 healthy adults. The mean age for the sample ranged from 55-64 years. The measures used were: Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R). The prevalence of alexithymia in glaucoma group was higher, with half of the patients presenting borderline alexithymia. Results showed that alexithymia statistically significantly associates with glaucoma (p= 0.019). Logistic regression analysis indicated that alexithymia explains 6.6% of variance in glaucoma (p=0.016) and that from all alexithymia’s factors, the external orienting thinking (EOT) statistically significantly contributed to this prediction (p< 0.001). The majority of psychopathological factors statistically significantly predict alexithymia (p<0.01). Also, alexithymic participants had higher scores in certain factors (Interpersonal sensitivity, Depression, Obsession compulsion, and overall Psychological distress) compared to nonalexithymic (p<0.01). The objective of the current study was to understand the involvement of certain psychological factors in the glaucoma process as alexithymia and its consideration in pathogenesis and treatment.