Characterization of alexithymia in clinically isolated syndrome |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Neurology, Charles University, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Thomayer Hospital, Videnska 800, 140 59 Praha 4, Czech Republic;2. First Department of Neurology, St. Anne''s University Hospital and School of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic;3. Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic;4. Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Thomayer Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic;5. Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic;1. Department of Radiology, Bichat University Hospital, AP–HP, 75018 Paris, France;2. Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, AP–HP, 75018 Paris, France;3. Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, AP–HP, 75018 Paris, France;4. Inserm U1148, Paris, France;5. Bichat Hospital, University Paris, Paris, France |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundIn multiple sclerosis (MS), the prevalence of alexithymia, defined as an inability to identify and describe emotions, is close to 50% but the prevalence of this symptom in clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is unknown. Characterizing alexithymia at an early stage of the disease can help to clarify psychobehavioural disturbances in CIS patients.MethodsForty CIS patients, who fulfilled the MRI criteria for dissemination in space, were matched with 40 healthy subjects. They completed self-assessment scales for alexithymia, depression, anxiety, apathy and empathy. Cognitive functions were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests.ResultsThe mean delay (± standard deviation) between the occurrence of CIS and inclusion in the study was 3.9 (2.8) months. The frequency of alexithymia was higher in CIS patients than in controls, with a prevalence of 42% (P < 0.0001). Alexithymia correlated with anxiety and depression but not with cognition. Alexithymia was dependent only on depression (P = 0.003).ConclusionAlexithymia, characterized by difficulty identifying feelings, is present in patients in the early stage of MS, and seems to be strongly associated with depression. Difficulty in social interaction could be a risk of future affective disorders. |
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| Keywords: | Alexithymia Clinically isolated syndrome Psychobehavioural disturbances Cognitive impairment Multiple sclerosis |
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