Life events, personality, and physical risk factors in recent-onset duodenal ulcer. A preliminary study

To clarify the interactions between stressful life events and other risk factors in the development of duodenal ulcer disease, we studied 33 patients with active ulcer, symptomatic for less than or equal to 6 months and untreated during the previous year, using the Paykel Interview for stressful life events, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and Zung's Anxiety and Depression scales. MMPIs were abnormal in 64% of the patients, and 61% showed some degree of depression. The 16 patients whose symptoms had been preceded by severe stress and more pathological MMPIs, especially on paranoia and dependency scales; were more depressed; and had used less nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs than those without (p less than 0.05). They were somewhat more likely to be single, to be of low social class, and to have recently increased use of cigarettes, alcohol, or coffee (though their absolute level of alcohol consumption was low). Anxiety levels did not differ between stress and nonstress groups. Correspondence analysis yielded four clusters of patients, characterized by (a) alcohol/cigarette use, personality disorder, chronicity; (b) early onset, neurosis; (c) depression, life events; (d) late onset, psychosocial stability. The analysis changed little according to whether life events were or were not considered in cluster formation. We conclude that ulcer patients who become ill under stress from a distinct subgroup, that depressed mood and stress-related increases in use of alcohol and cigarettes may mediate between stress and ulcer formation, and that life events are a quantitatively minor factor in ulcerogenesis.