Relevant associations between alexithymia and health-literacy in persons with psoriasis

Abstract

Objective

To explore possible associations between alexithymia and health literacy (HL) in persons with psoriasis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study, including 825 persons with moderate to severe psoriasis, using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Health Literacy Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics compare HL means between alexithymic and not alexithymic participants. Associations between alexithymia and HL are analyzed using a linear multiple regression model.

Results

Twenty-six percent of the participants were characterized as alexithymic, and 26.8% had borderline alexithymia. Higher alexithymia scores were associated with lower education, biological medicines, and more comorbidities, together with lower self-efficacy. The HL domains with the strongest associations with alexithymia were those focusing on managing and getting support for health, as well as the ability to find health information.

Conclusion

A more elevated alexithymia score is associated with lower HL. Further studies of these associations may contribute to a more comprehensive perspective of psoriasis. To know a patient’s alexithymia level and HL needs may guide health care personnel’s understanding of possible associations between health status, clinical presentation, behavior, and response to treatment.

Keywords:

• Alexithymia
• psoriasis
• health literacy
• self-management

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the people with psoriasis who kindly participated in this study and the staff at The Climate Therapy unit at the Oslo University Hospital, who contributed to the data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the University of Oslo.