Prevalence of alexithymia in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeTo systematically evaluate the prevalence of alexithymia in cancer patients and to compare the prevalence of alexithymia in different countries, genders, and cancer types.MethodsWe thoroughly searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsychINFO, China Integrated Knowledge Resource Database, Wanfang Database, Weipu Database, and Chinese Biomedical Database for studies on the prevalence of alexithymia in cancer patients from the inception to April 2, 2023. Based on the Stata 15.0 software package, the prevalence of alexithymia in cancer patients was estimated using a random-effects model in this meta-analysis.ResultsEighteen studies with a total of 3,196 participants met the eligibility criteria for the meta-analysis. In 18 studies, 37.0% (95% CI: 28.0% - 46.0%) of cancer patients had alexithymia. 13 studies identified that the pooled mean score of alexithymia in cancer patients was 56.91 (95% CI: 54.44% to 59.37%). The prevalence of alexithymia was higher in cancer patients in developing countries (39.7%, 95% CI: 28.7% to 50.7%), males (40.0%, 95% CI: 24.0% to 55.9%), and colorectal cancer patients (47.3%, 95% CI: 21.3% to 93.3%).ConclusionsOur study found that the pooled prevalence of alexithymia in cancer patients was 37.0%, and higher in developing countries, males, and patients with colorectal cancer. Understanding the current status of alexithymia in cancer patients, timely identification and treatment by medical practitioners can improve the prognosis of cancer patients.Clinical trial registration: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO [CRD42023414665].ConclusionsOur study found that the pooled prevalence of alexithymia in cancer patients was 37.0%, and higher in developing countries, males, and patients with colorectal cancer. Understanding the current status of alexithymia in cancer patients, timely identification and treatment by medical practitioners can improve the prognosis of cancer patients.Clinical trial registration: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO [CRD42023414665].