Objective To discuss alexithymia in patients with maintenance hemodialysis and its impact on medical coping style and the ability of daily living. Methods The patients with end-stage renal disease treated by the maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) were divided into 2 groups, namely, alexithymia group (total score>60) and non-alexithymia group (total score <50) ,according to the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The Medical response to the questionnaire (MCMQ) and the activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to evaluate the patients. Results The TAS-20 score was (72.31±12.28) in 67 cases of patients with MHD. Among these, 31 cases for TAS-20 total score>60 points ,with an average score (82.37±15.84) and 26 cases for TAS-20 total score <50 points, with an average score (50.17±10.24). There was significant difference (t=8.90, P<0.01). The face factor score of MCMQ was significantly lower in alexithymia groups than that in non-alexithymia group,while the avoidance and subordination factor score was significantly higher than that in non-alexithymia group(P<0.01 or 0.05). The ADL scores and factor scores of the alexithymia group were significantly higher than that of non-alexithymia group,and there was a significant difference (t=3.53, P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that TAS-20 score and the face factor score of MCMQ was significantly negatively correlated with MCMQ e-vasive and subordination factor,and factor scores and ADL score was significantly positively correlated (P<0.01 or 0.05). Conclusion MHD patients in the alexithymia group tend to use and yield response to avoid negative cop-ing style and less use of active coping style. The quality of life and activities of daily living of MHD patients in alex-ithymia group are worse than that of the non-alexithymia group.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of takayasu's arteritis in elderly patients for improving their general management.Methods Twenty-six patients,aged over 60 years,with takayasu's arteritis were enrolled.The clinical manifestations and medical records were collected in detail and analyzed retrospectively.Results The mean age of the patients in our study was 64.0±3.8 years,four males and twenty-two females.Of all patients,nine were accompanied by coronary heart disease,seven by primary hypertension,four by diabetes mellitus,two by arrhythmia and one by subacute infective endocarditis.The frequent clinical manifestations were hypertension (n = 21,81%),dizzy (n=12.46%),chest pain (n=9,35%),pulselessness or weak pulse (n=7,27%).The clinical classification of this group showed brachiocephalic artery type (n = 8,30%),abdominal aorta type (n=4,15%),extensive type (n=11,58%) and pulmonary artery type (n=3,12%).Ten patients had elevated ESR level,six had elevated CRP level and fourteen had elevated ASO level.Two patients with diabetes mellitus died of serious complications.Conclusions Takayasu's arteritis in the elderly is usually accompanied by other cardiovascular diseases and risk factors.It is important to enhance the comprehensive treatment of these patients.