Gastric Motor Functions in Patients With Mood Disorders and Functional Gastroduodenal Symptoms

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Functional gastroduodenal symptoms (FGDSs) are linked to altered gastric emptying (GE) and gastric accommodation (GA).
• Acute stress can affect GE and GA, potentially influencing FGDSs in individuals with mood disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in GE and GA in patients with FGDS and mood disorders (depression, anxiety, or comorbid anxiety/depression).
• To utilize standardized, noninvasive methods for assessing GE and GA.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1554 individuals who underwent GE (scintigraphy) and GA (SPECT) measurements.
• Identification of 267 patients with depression, anxiety, or comorbid anxiety/depression (CAD) through medical record review.
• Statistical analysis using ANOVA on ranks and Mann-Whitney tests to compare GE and GA between groups.

Main Results:

• GE at 1 hour was significantly slower in depression compared to anxiety (p = .04).
• Gastric accommodation (GA) was significantly diminished in comorbid anxiety/depression (CAD) compared to anxiety (p = .04) and depression (p = .009).
• No significant differences were observed in fasting gastric volume or 4-hour GE.

Conclusions:

• Comorbid anxiety and depression are associated with impaired GA in FGDS patients.
• Early GE appears slower in patients with depression compared to those with anxiety.