Alexithymia and interleukin variations in somatoform disorder

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate if
somatoform disorders (SFD) are associated with changes in the
normal serum levels of important interleukins, and further, to
establish if these changes are related to the presence and severity
of alexithymia in patients with SFD. Methods: Twenty-four
unmedicated patients who met the International Classification of
Diseases (ICD-10) diagnostic criteria for SFD completed the
psychological questionnaire to assess alexithymia (Toronto
Alexithymia Scale), symptom reporting (SCL-90-R) and diagnostic
criteria for SFD (Screening for Somatoform Symptoms scale). Serum
concentrations of soluble interleukin 2 receptor alpha(sIL-2R
alpha), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 were determined in patients
with SFD and in 9 healthy subjects. Results: In patients with SFD,
serum levels of IL-6 (p ! 0.001), IL-10 (p = 0.047) and
immunoglobulin E (p = 0.045) were significantly increased in
comparison with healthy controls. Additionally, a negative
correlation was observed between the level of alexithymia ('total'
Toronto Alexithymia Scale score) and the serum levels of sIL-2R
alpha (r = -0.538) in SFD. Conclusions: Taken together, these
results suggest that SFD, with clinically significant alexithymia,
are associated with a reduction in Th1-mediated immune function and
an increase in the activation of the Th2 immune function, indicated
by the augmented serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 and elevated
immunoglobulin E. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.