Cynical Distrust, Alexithymia, and Quality of Sleep among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Abdelwahab Khedr, Mahmoud; Shehata Harby, Shahera; Mohamed Nageeb, Shaimaa; Abdeen Ali, Eman

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2022.245719

Cynical Distrust, Alexithymia, and Quality of Sleep among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

² Lecturer of Medical surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2022.245719

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
negatively affects many aspects of the patient's life, including psychological patterns, emotional
reactions, and sleep quality. The study was aimed to: determine the relationship between cynical
distrust, alexithymia, and quality of sleep among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Design:
This study employed a descriptive correlational design. Setting: It was held at Alexandria's main
University hospital's Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) department. A purposive sample of 100 patients
with the diagnosis of IBD (50 patient with Crohn's Disease & 50 patient with ulcerative colitis.
Methods: Data were collected using four different tools: Socio-demographic & Clinical data
structured interview schedule, Cynical Distrust Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Pittsburgh
Sleep Quality Index. Results: The current study finding revealed that 86.4% of patients with
Crohn's disease, and 87.5% of patients with ulcerative colitis who had high cynical distrust
demonstrated alexithymia. In addition, 95.5% of patients with Crohn's disease, and 87.5% of
patients with ulcerative colitis who had high cynical distrust display poor sleep quality. Conclusion:
The current study established a statistically significant positive correlation between cynical distrust,
alexithymia, and poor sleep quality among patients with inflammatory bowel disorders.
Recommendation: Counseling for adequate sleep and emotional expressiveness can positively
impact the phase of the disease. Additionally, assessing and intervening sleep and emotional
disruptions in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases can aid in optimizing medicinal care and
maintaining illness remission, as well as potentially modify disease prognosis.

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