Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Alexithymia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Tight Relation with Mood States

Domenico PE Margiotta, Marta Vadacca, Luca Navarini, Fabio Basta and Antonella Afeltra

The difficulty in identifying, differentiating and expressing emotions is a neuropsychological condition called alexithymia. During the last years it has grown the interest of scientific community for alexithymia, in particular in2 chronic conditions. Crescent literature data demonstrated that a considerable number of SLE patients present difficulty not only in identifying, differentiating, and articulating emotions but also in differentiating them from bodily sensations, configuring the alexithymia complaint. Alexithymia seems to be not related to SLE disease activity but tightly related to mood states. Identify proper pharmacological and psychological approach to alexithymia in SLE patients is a major challenge for future research.