Psychiatry Research
Volume 129, Issue 1 , Pages 107-112, 30 November 2004

Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in alcoholics and the relationship with alexithymia

  • Leo G.M. van Rossum

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (MDL 547), University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9100, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +31 243617272; fax: +31 24354 01 03.
    • ,
  • Robert J.F. Laheij

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (MDL 547), University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9100, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Marieke S. de Doelder

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (MDL 547), University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9100, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Cor A.J. de Jong

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9100, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Jan B.M.J. Jansen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (MDL 547), University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9100, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Received 24 September 2003; received in revised form 21 June 2004; accepted 1 July 2004.

Abstract 

Alcohol abuse coincides with a wide variety of clinical, sociological and psychological features and symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms are also very common in alcoholics, but the reason is unclear. We aimed to determine the prevalence of alexithymia in alcoholics and furthermore if gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with alexithymia. Out of the 84 alcoholics who completed the alexithymia questionnaire (Toronto Alexithymia Scale, TAS20) and the standard gastrointestinal symptoms questionnaire, 92% reported gastrointestinal symptoms and 54% were alexithymic. Alcoholics above age 43 had more difficulty describing feelings (odds ratio=4.1, confidence interval=1.5–11.4). Almost all measured gastrointestinal symptoms in alcoholics were associated with scores on an alexithymia questionnaire.

Keywords: Digestive signs and symptoms, Alexithymia, Prevalence

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PII: S0165-1781(04)00175-1

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2004.07.001

Psychiatry Research
Volume 129, Issue 1 , Pages 107-112, 30 November 2004

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