Purpose Alexithymia, defined as the inability of a person to identify, describe and express emotions, has been found to influence glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients (D2). The characteristics and influencing factors of alexithymia and the association of this psychological construct with D2 has not yet been studied in Lebanon where 14.6% of adults are diagnosed with the disease. This study aims at evaluating the prevalence of alexithymia and its relationship with glycemic control among Lebanese adults with D2. Methods Alexithymia was assessed in 104 patients diagnosed with D2 and 100 healthy controls using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The impact of alexithymia on glycemic control was evaluated using HbA1c values, fasting blood glucose levels, number of severe hyperglycemic episodes and hospitalizations for hyperglycemia within the past months. Results Alexithymia prevalence was significantly higher in D2 patients compared to controls (35.5% vs 15%). Patients with alexithymia showed higher levels of HbA1c and glucose in comparison to those without alexithymia. Consistently, significant positive correlations were found between the TAS-20 total and subscale scores and both HbA1c and glucose levels. Alexithymic patients had three times more severe hyperglycemic episodes and five times more hospitalizations for hyperglycemia compared to those without alexithymia. According to multivariate regression analysis, lifestyle factors alone were not found predictive of alexithymia in D2 patients. Conclusion Given the impact of alexithymia on D2 regulation, screening of alexithymia in case of D2 and appropriate psychological follow-up are important for a better prognosis, management and treatment of the disease.
Introduction: Emotional expressivity plays an important role in terms of communication and interpersonal relationships in the context of society. Our research aims at assessing the perception of emotional expressivity and its association with lifestyle changes during COVID-19 lockdown among university students in Lebanon.
Methodology: A total of 742 participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and emotional expression evaluated through the Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire (BEQ). Participants also reported their perception of the relationship between emotional expressivity and lifestyle changes experienced during lockdown.
Results: The expression of positive emotions was decreased among students who have a weight loss from decreased eating during lockdown. Moreover, significantly lower negative emotions and increased positive emotions were found to be associated respectively with the increase in quality and quantity of distance learning, which emphasizes the psychological investment in education. In terms of extensive time spent on TV and social media, results point towards increased emotional expressivity, particularly positive emotions and impulse facets. Finally, changes in social interaction during this period impacted all facets of emotional expressivity.
Conclusions: In the context of lockdown due to the pandemic, emotional aspects were associated by university students with lifestyle changes. Our research highlights the beneficial role of social networking, distance learning, physical activity, and well-balanced nutrition on emotional regulation in this particularly stressful situation, thus the importance of a global approach to emotional expressivity including the social aspects and biological ones.
A technique for the atraumatic labelling of digital skin with 133 xenon has been applied to investigate the efects of indoramin (0.10 to 0.17 mg.lkg. intravenously) on the peripheral blood flow of patients with Raymud's disease or atherosclerosis with associated intermittent claudication. The 4 patients with Raynaud's disease had a mean increase in digital bloodflow of 42% and a similar increase was found in 5 of the 6 atherosclerotics. Apart from transient sedation following the injection of indoramin and a hypotensive episode in I patient, there were no significant side-efects. No meaningful tachycardia was seen with the a-adrenoceptor antagonist and further investigation in vasospastic disorders with indoramin administered by the oral route seems warranted,
An atraumatic method for measuring digital capillary blood flow with(133)xenon is described here. It has the advantage of not requiring the handling of xenon in the gaseous phase, and is a comfortable procedure for the patient. A study of rheumatoid patients without overt vaculitis, and controls showed similar values, suggesting that despite digital deformities, the digital blood flow of the usual rheumatoid is adequate.
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