Alexithymia in patients after the first cerebral stroke

Alexithymia is considered to be a frequent complication of stroke that is not studied in Russian population.

Aim. To determine frequency of alexithymia in patients with first-ever stroke and particularly in patients with affective disorders.

Methods. 40 patients (mean age 63.1±12.0 years, 40% female) involved in prospective cohort study were assessed by 26-point Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Scores more than 62 were considered as borderline level of alexithymia, more than 74 as obvious alexithymia.

Results. Borderline alexithymia was found in 13 patients (32.5% of sample), obvious alexithymia — in 20 patients (50%). Patients with alexithymia were more frequently male and didn`t differ by age, educational level, stroke severity, lesion volume and location, cognitive dysfunction severity, comorbid somatic pathology. Alexithymia was more frequent in patient with pre-stroke and post-stroke depression but was not associated with generalized anxiety disorder.

Conclusions. Alexithymia frequently accompanies post-stroke depression. High alexithymia score in patients with pre-stroke depression may indicate that Toronto Alexithymia Scale gives false-positive results in gerontological patients with depressive disorders.