Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology
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Scand. J. Gastroenterol. · Apr 2012
Influence of alexithymia on health-related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: are there any related factors?
Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulty to perceive and express emotions. Previous studies have indicated a high prevalence of alexithymia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but results have been inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of alexithymia in a large IBD cohort and to establish the impact of alexithymia on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in these patients. ⋯ Alexithymia is highly prevalent in IBD and represents a significant determinant of HRQOL. Alexithymia and its components need to be taken into consideration in the management of IBD patients.