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Alexithymia does not predict the persistence of medically unexplained physical symptoms
Cornelis G Kooiman1, Jan H Bolk, Harry G M Rooijmans
1Department of Psychiatry of the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Psychosomatic Medicine
|March 25, 2004
Summary
Alexithymia does not predict the outcome of medically unexplained physical symptoms (UPS) or general health perception. UPS duration and symptom count were key predictors, not alexithymia.
Area of Science:
- Psychosomatic Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Alexithymia is linked to medically unexplained physical symptoms (UPS).
- Limited research exists on alexithymia as a predictor for UPS persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical outcome of UPS patients.
- To evaluate alexithymia's role in predicting UPS outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study of general medical outpatients with UPS.
- Baseline assessments and reassessments after a mean 61-week interval.
- Outcome variables included UPS status and general health perception.
Main Results:
- UPS outcome and health perception were weakly associated.
- 63% improved symptoms; 38% reported good health.
- UPS duration and symptom count predicted UPS outcome; baseline health and symptoms predicted follow-up health perception. Alexithymia was not a significant predictor for either outcome.
Conclusions:
- UPS outcome and general health perception are distinct and predicted by different factors.
- Alexithymia is not a significant predictor for the majority of UPS patients.