D1.31 - Quality Of Life In Alexithymic Patients With Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL), greatly affecting their physical and mental health. Alexithymia is a psychoaffective dysfunction characterized by the inability to identify, describe, and express feelings. Our study evaluated the relation between alexithymia and QoL in patients with anaphylaxis.

The study involves 28 patients with a history of anaphylaxis who were prescribed epinephrine self-injectable. All participants compiled the Anaphylaxis Quality of Life Scale for Adults (A-QoL-Adults), a 28-item prototype scale of questions that has three subscales: Emotional Impact (EQoL), Social Impact (SQoL), and Limitations on Life (LoL). Patients also compiled the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), a 20-item questionnaire that evaluates alexithymia (score 0-50: no alexithymia; score 52-60: possible alexithymia; 61-100: alexithymia). Mann-Whitney-U test and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analyses. The scores are expressed in median.

We identified 11 patients with alexithymia (39.3%). Alexithymic patients had higher AQoL score (3.05 vs 1.76, p=0.025), SQol score (2.44 vs 1.33, p=0.029) and LoL score (3 vs 2, p=0.034) than non-alexithymic patients. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between TAS-20 and AQoL (rs=+0.487, p=0.009), SQoL (rs=+0.487, p=0.01), LoL (rs=+0.479, p=0.01). 

Alexithymia negatively impacts the quality of life in patients with anaphylaxis. Psychological counselling that enhances emotional regulation and reduces alexithymia could improve the quality of life of alexithymic patients with anaphylaxis. It should, therefore, be considered in this subgroup of patients.