The performance of diagnostic measures of depression in alexithymic and nonalexithymic subjects

Mattila, Aino K.; Poutanen, Outi; Koivisto, Anna-Maija; Salokangas, Raimo K.R.; Joukamaa, Matti

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2007.08.011

« Previous Next »General Hospital Psychiatry
Volume 30, Issue 1 , Pages 77-79, January 2008

The performance of diagnostic measures of depression in alexithymic and nonalexithymic subjects

Aino K. Mattila, M.D.
- Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland
- Corresponding author. Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland. Tel.: +358 3 3551 6002, +358 50 343 9168 (mobile); fax: +358 3 3551 6057.
Outi Poutanen, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland
- Medical School, University of Tampere, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland
Anna-Maija Koivisto, M.Sc.
- Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland
Raimo K.R. Salokangas, M.D., Ph.D., M.A.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
- Psychiatric Clinic, Turku University Central Hospital, PO Box 52, FIN-20521 Turku, Finland
- Turku Psychiatric Clinic, PO Box 1, FIN-20701 Turku, Finland
Matti Joukamaa, M.D., Ph.D.
- Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland

Received 6 July 2007; accepted 21 August 2007.

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine how the outcomes of a structured diagnostic interview for depression are related to the results of a self-report scale in alexithymic and nonalexithymic groups.

Materials and Methods

Subjects (N=389) recruited from primary care and psychiatric care completed the Depression Scale (DEPS) and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Major depression was diagnosed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview–Short-Form by telephone.

Results

In the group without major depression, the DEPS scores of the alexithymic subjects were significantly higher than those of the nonalexithymic subjects. In the group with major depression, the ideal cutoff points of the DEPS, assessed by receiver operating characteristic analyses, were essentially higher for the alexithymic patients.

Conclusions

Alexithymic subjects without major depression may be rated as depressive if the only criterion is the score on a self-report scale. Furthermore, alexithymic patients may require higher cutoff points in a self-report depression scale.

Keywords: Alexithymia, Depression, Diagnosis, Self-report scale, Structured interview