ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, causing joint-swelling and pain. International literature highlights that patients with RA are more likely to report high levels of alexithymia, adverse childhood events (ACEs) and stress, but studies investigating the association between these dimensions are lacking. The general aim of the present study is to investigate the association between alexithymia, ACEs, and stress in RA patients and to highlight possible predictors of greater perceived stress. One hundred and thirty-seven female patients with RA (mean age = 50.74; SD = 10.01) participated in an online survey between April and May 2021. Participants completed a questionnaire for the collection of sociodemographic and clinical information, the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Adverse Childhood Events questionnaire and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. The correlational analysis highlighted several significant associations between the dimensions evaluated. Regression analyses showed that alexithymia, ACEs and the perceived health status have a predictive effect on the perceived stress of RA patients. More specifically, the role of difficulty in identifying feelings, and the physical and emotional neglect, has been highlighted. ACEs and high levels of alexithymia are common in RA clinical populations and seem to affect the wellbeing of these patients. The use of a biopsychosocial approach to RA treatment appears essential in achieving a better quality of life and illness control in this specific clinical population.

摘要

类风湿性关节炎 (RA) 是一种慢性炎症性疾病，会导致关节肿胀和疼痛。国际文献强调，类风湿性关节炎患者更有可能报告高水平的述情障碍、不良儿童事件 (ACE) 和压力，但缺乏调查这些维度之间关联的研究。本研究的总体目的是调查 RA 患者述情障碍、ACE 和压力之间的关联，并强调更大感知压力的可能预测因素。2021 年 4 月至 5 月期间，137 名女性 RA 患者（平均年龄 = 50.74；SD = 10.01）参与了一项在线调查。参与者完成了一份收集社会人口统计学和临床​​信息的调查问卷，即 20 项多伦多述情障碍问卷量表、不良童年事件问卷和 10 项感知压力量表。相关分析强调了评估维度之间的几个显着关联。回归分析表明，述情障碍、ACE 和感知健康状况对 RA 患者的感知压力具有预测作用。更具体地说，强调了识别感受困难以及身体和情感忽视的作用。ACE 和高水平的述情障碍在 RA 临床人群中很常见，似乎会影响这些患者的健康。使用生物心理社会方法治疗 RA 对于在这一特定临床人群中实现更好的生活质量和疾病控制至关重要。