A study on medical coping style and qualities of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients with alexithymia

Abstract

Objective To discuss alexithymia in patients with maintenance hemodialysis and its impact on medical coping style and the ability of daily living. Methods The patients with end-stage renal disease treated by the maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) were divided into 2 groups, namely, alexithymia group (total score>60) and non-alexithymia group (total score 60 points ,with an average score (82.37±15.84) and 26 cases for TAS-20 total score <50 points, with an average score (50.17±10.24). There was significant difference (t=8.90, P<0.01). The face factor score of MCMQ was significantly lower in alexithymia groups than that in non-alexithymia group,while the avoidance and subordination factor score was significantly higher than that in non-alexithymia group(P<0.01 or 0.05). The ADL scores and factor scores of the alexithymia group were significantly higher than that of non-alexithymia group,and there was a significant difference (t=3.53, P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that TAS-20 score and the face factor score of MCMQ was significantly negatively correlated with MCMQ e-vasive and subordination factor,and factor scores and ADL score was significantly positively correlated (P<0.01 or 0.05). Conclusion MHD patients in the alexithymia group tend to use and yield response to avoid negative cop-ing style and less use of active coping style. The quality of life and activities of daily living of MHD patients in alex-ithymia group are worse than that of the non-alexithymia group. Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis; Alexithymia; Medical coping means; ; Daily living ability