Emotion, behavior pattern and disease progression

Emotion represents a complex reaction that may influence human behavior. According to the bio-psycho-social model, the behavior may be a risk factor for many diseases. This paper shows results of own work and a brief literature review on the role of emotional processing in the pathogenesis of several pathological conditions and their outcome. Data obtained from investigations carried out in a Central-East European community compared with data from international sources show the role of alexithymia in the presentation of irritable bowel syndrome. The lack of specificity of the role of type A behavior pattern (previously attributed to cardiovascular diseases, actually involved also in irritable bowel syndrome and duodenal ulcer or in asthma) is also shown. These data represent the background for a cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approach in patients with functional and organic chronic digestive diseases.