Saji Sebastian Kundukulangara1 , Arun B. Nair2
BACKGROUND Functional Dyspepsia (FD) is a common psychosomatic gastrointestinal disease. Role of psychological factors and stressful life events is controversial in the aetiology of this syndrome and are often ignored during its evaluation. There is dearth of data from the developing world. We aimed to study the psychiatric morbidity and the role of stressful life events in the exacerbation of FD. METHODS This is a prospective case control study. 120 patients with diagnosis of FD were compared with ulcer disease patients (60) and normal controls (60). After satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, details regarding demographic profile and GI symptoms were recorded with the help of questionnaire. Each individual was then examined for the occurrence of stressful life events in the preceding one year by using presumptive stressful life events scale. Somatosensory amplification score was calculated from a validated questionnaire. Patients were also examined using ICD-10 symptom check list – psychiatric case identification screener. RESULTS Total number of patients was 240. Psychiatric morbidity was more common in patients with FD patients when compared with peptic ulcer disease patients and controls. Mood disorder was the prominent psychiatric diagnosis in FD patients followed by anxiety disorders. History of sexual abuse and multiple somatic symptoms were significantly more common in FD patients. Total number of stressful life events and somatosensory amplification score was higher in the FD patients. CONCLUSIONS Psychiatric illness, multiple somatic symptoms, total stress score, number of stressful life events and somatosensory amplification scores were higher in FD patients.
