[A clinical study of functional dyspepsia and mental disorder co-morbidity]

To investigate the co-morbid state of mental disorder in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) in a tertiary general hospital in China and explore the risk factors of the co-morbidity of FD and major depressive disorder (MDD).

This study was designed as a bilateral evaluation and structural psychiatric interview. Patients with FD and newly diagnosed outpatients with MDD in gastrointestinal and psychological departments were enrolled. FD was defined by Rome III criteria. The questionnaires including symptoms of FGIDs Roma III, the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI 3.0) Chinese version, the Hamilton depression/anxiety rating scale (HAMD/HAMA), Montgomery-Asberg depression scale (MADRS) were involved in this study. All patients were administered by well trained physicians and investigators in face to face interview.

A total of 69 patients have completed the valid questionnaires and interview, among whom 42 met FD criteria (FD group) and 27 with FD co-morbid MDD (co-morbid group). Male to female ratios were 17:25 and 10:17, the mean age (42.1 ± 13.3) and (43.1 ± 15.3) years respectively. The life-long co-morbidity of FD and MDD was 39.1% (27/69), while 31.9% (22/69) patients with FD were accompanied with other mental disorders rather than MDD. Patients in FD co-morbid MDD group had significantly more severe depression than those in FD group with HAMD-17 score 21.6±8.0 and 14.5 ± 7.6, HAMA score 21.2 ± 9.0 and 14.9 ± 7.5 respectively (all P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that high score of MADRS and complication with functional anorectal disorder may be the risk factors of FD co-morbid MDD [OR(95% CI) 1.12(1.06-1.19) and 7.07(1.12-44.53)].

The co-morbidity rate of FD with MDD in our hospital is high. In addition to MDD, other mental disorders also need to be paid attention in FD patients. FD co-morbid MDD patients suffered more severe depression and anxiety. The high score of MADRS and complication with functional anorectal disorder seem to be the risk factors of co-morbidity of FD and MDD.