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 <50) ,according to the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The Medical response to the questionnaire (MCMQ) and the activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to evaluate the patients. Results The TAS-20 score was (72.31±12.28) in 67 cases of patients with MHD. Among these, 31 cases for TAS-20 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.