Alexithymia in Patients with Ménière Disease: A Possible Role on Anxiety and Depression.

Roberto Teggi,Lucio Sarno,Omar Gatti,Claudio Ruggieri,Mario Bussi,Federica Rosolen,Claudia Yvonne Finocchiaro

doi:10.3390/audiolres11010008

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to investigate the role of the psychological variable of alexithymia both as a risk factor for the development of Ménière’s disease (MD) and as a component that influences the personal experience of MD and the individual quality of life. We collected data from 179 Italian patients who fulfilled criteria for definite MD. Patients filled out validated self-rating questionnaires to assess alexithymia (TAS-20), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), anxiety and depression (HADS), perception of stress (PSS) and coping strategies (COPE). Socio-demographic data and MD clinical features were collected using a specific rating form. Subjects affected by MD showed higher levels of alexithymia compared to general population. Among MD patients, those characterized by high levels of alexithymia revealed a significant increase in anxiety and depression, greater perceived stress, a lower quality of life in psychological health and social relationships domains and the use of less mature coping strategies in comparison with MD patients with low or absent alexithymia. Our preliminary data could help in hypothesizing a role of psychological functioning in MD development and in the adaptation to the disease. The presence of alexithymia in patients suffering from MD may constitute a risk factor for the development of anxiety and depression symptoms; greater perceived stress and for poorer psychological and relational quality of life. Therefore, our study design did not allow causal inferences and further studies are needed.

Highlights

Ménière’s disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder characterized by episodic attacks of severe vertigo accompanied by ear fullness, hearing loss and tinnitus [1]
We explored some features of the disorder: unilateral lowfrequencies hearing loss, episodic vertigo spells preceded by ear fullness and tinnitus
The present work introduces an innovative approach to the study of MD, since it investigates for the first time the psychological variable of alexithymia in MD

Summary

Introduction

Ménière’s disease (MD) is an inner ear disorder characterized by episodic attacks of severe vertigo accompanied by ear fullness, hearing loss and tinnitus [1]. Vertigo spells are characterized by rotatory spinning sensation that last from 20 min to 12 h with autonomic symptoms (such as nausea and vomiting), preceded or accompanied by cochlear symptoms (usually unilateral), hearing loss, sensation of aural fullness and tinnitus. A. Two or more spontaneous episodes of vertigo each lasting 20 min to 12 h; B. Documented low- to medium-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in one ear, defining the affected ear on at least one occasion before, during or after one of the episodes of vertigo; C. Fluctuating aural symptoms (hearing, tinnitus or fullness) in the affected ear; D.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion