Alexithymia is a determinant of early death in the long-term course of post-myocardial infarction

https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2022.2803
  • Mauro Giovanni Carta
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Federica Sancassiani
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7963-5281
  • Davide Bina
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3526-6322
  • Marco Licciardi
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Giulia Cossu
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1245-016X
  • Antonio Egidio Nardi
    Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • Luigi Meloni
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
  • Roberta Montisci
    Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7218-6751

ABSTRACT

Among people with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), high alexithymia was associated with delay to hospital arrival. High alexithymia could be a determinant of early death in the long term after STEMI. People with STEMI who participated in a survey in 2011, was tested about the state of life in 2021. The sample was divided into two cohorts (cut-off: TAS-20≥61 in 2011). The relationship between possible death occurred and having high alexithymia was calculated by comparing the mortality after 10 years in the two cohorts through the Cox’ proportional hazard model. Status in life was verified on 39.3% of the sample. No differences were found regarding age, sex, high alexithymia between individuals on whom it was possible to verify the state in life and in whose it was not. In 2021, among people having high alexithymia in 2011, a higher risk of early death was found (RR=5.75, CI 95% 1.116-29.637).

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